Auston Matthews, one of the NHL’s top forwards, has signed a new four-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The deal, worth $53 million, underscores the organisation’s trust in Matthews as a cornerstone player for the foreseeable future.
Matthews’ new deal with the Maple Leafs is worth $53 million over four years. This equates to an average annual value of $13.25 million, which will begin with the next season. This new agreement follows closely on the heels of his five-year, $58.17 million contract, which he inked on February 5, 2019. The current deal will see Matthews in Maple Leafs colours until the end of the 2027-28 season.
Matthews’ Reaction
Matthews moved to Twitter to express his thanks and delight, writing, “I feel fortunate to continue this journey as a Maple Leaf in front of the best fans in hockey!” I’ll do everything in my power to get us to the summit of the mountain. GLG!”
A Look Back at Matthews’ Achievements
The 25-year-old forward has been nothing short of spectacular for the Maple Leafs. Last season alone, he amassed 85 points, comprising 40 goals and 45 assists in 74 games. Additionally, he contributed 11 points in 11 Stanley Cup Playoff games. Hailing from Scottsdale, Arizona, Matthews has accumulated 542 points in his NHL career, which includes 299 goals and 243 assists over 481 games. His contributions have placed him fifth alongside Rick Vaive in goals and eleventh in points in the Maple Leafs’ illustrious history.
Accolades and Recognitions
Matthews’ ice skill has not gone unnoticed. He won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player for the 2021-22 season after setting a new Maple Leafs record with 60 goals. Furthermore, he received the 2022 Ted Lindsay Award, which was voted on by NHLPA members as the most outstanding player, making him the first Maple Leafs player to receive this honour. His trophy case also includes the Rocket Richard Memorial Trophy for two straight seasons (2020-21 and 2021-22), as well as the NHL Rookie of the Year award in 2016. Matthews has also represented Toronto in four NHL All-Star Games.
Teammates and Leadership
The Maple Leafs captain, John Tavares, expressed his joy at the announcement, highlighting Matthews’ passion for the team and the city. Tavares emphasised Matthews’ ambition to continue developing with the team and ultimately win the Stanley Cup.
