Hello Crier peeps, I have been talking about this for a while now and that is the shit storm that would come around if Auston Matthews doesn’t resign a deal with Toronto before October 11, 2023, aka opening night.

Those fears and worries are a bridge Leafs Nation won’t have to worry about crossing until 2028, you may ask. That is because it was announced today that Auston Matthews has signed a 4-year deal at $13.25 million to stay with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Auston Matthews 4x$13.25 extension in Toronto

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) August 23, 2023

Even the man himself confirmed the deal on twitter, where he hasn’t tweeted since March.

I feel fortunate to continue this journey as a Maple Leaf in front of the best fans in hockey! I will do everything I can to help get us to the top of the mountain. GLG! #LeafsForever

— Auston Matthews (@AM34) August 23, 2023

Love both the term and AAV of the Matthews deal for the Leafs. On the books for what should be his absolute prime, during a time the cap will shoot up, at a fair number. Good news for Leafs fans here.

— Justin Bourne (@jtbourne) August 23, 2023

What this means is the Maple Leafs window to do something that hasn’t been done in 60 years now will probably go until 2028 for now. I say this because Matthews will be 31 at the start of the 2028-2029 season which is old in hockey years and we don’t know how he will be by then, not a knock on Matthews just reality of a situation where we can’t see 5 years into the future.

Auston Matthews, signed to a 4x$13.3M extension by TOR, is an elite scoring centre who creates chances and goals at an unparalleled level at 5v5 while being effective in other areas of the game. His strength and smarts in puck battles gives him defensive upside too. #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/9Cgp3yWK3u

— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) August 23, 2023

But for now Leafs Nation, rest tight and get ready as the 2023-2024 season to begin, for now I leave you with some Auston Matthews highlights. Go Leafs Go.

IMO these were Auston Matthews’ 3 biggest goals from last season.
-His 2 goals to start the miraculous 3rd period comeback in game 4.
-1st goal of the Game 6 series clinching win pic.twitter.com/RZQbRbKwa3

— Rink Rat Report (@RinkRatReport) August 23, 2023

🚨The Toronto Maple Leafs have inked Auston Matthews to a massive 4 year contract extension worth $53 million 💰💰💰#LeafsForever
pic.twitter.com/FQrWKvekH1

— Bodog (@BodogCA) August 23, 2023

AUSTON MATTHEWS 🚨

TIC-TAC-30 GOALS pic.twitter.com/LAPkrgjOF8

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) March 12, 2023