The Canadian metropolis of Toronto breathed a sigh of relief.
Home to the Blue Jays in the MLB, the Raptors in the NBA, the Argonauts in the CFL and Toronto FC in the MLS, the city had a narrow escape.
And why?
Because, despite the abundant variety of professional sports on offer in the big city, few of its athletes enjoy the same superstar status as Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the NHL.
Matthews has just signed a 53 MILLION dollar, four-year deal that will pay him $13,250,000 per season from the 2024-2025 season onwards. When this colossal deal takes effect, he will become the highest-paid player in the league, ahead of Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche, who commands a salary of $12,600,000 per season.
The Leafs' prolific forward, who has quickly established himself as one of the club's key players, was quick to comment on the excellent news via his social networks. Via his X account, formerly Twitter, he said he was delighted to be able to continue his career in front of the best fans in the hockey world, and that he was going to do everything in his power to bring the two-coloured franchise back to the top of the mountain.
Over the years, the 25-year-old, who was drafted by the same club in 2016, has racked up an impressive 542 points, including 299 goals and 242 assists.
Auston Matthews always found the back of the opposition's net with consummate ease, but it was in 2021-2022 that he pulled off a real tour de force, scoring 60 goals in 73 games. Since Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals achieved the same feat in 2007-2008, only Steven Stamkos in 2011-2012 has reached the 60-goal plateau in a single season. When Matthews put in his sixtieth of the season in a duel against the Detroit Red Wings, he became the first Maple Leafs player to repeat the feat since another Toronto legend, Rick Vaive in 1982.
Now that the central issue of Auston Matthews' contract has been resolved. Now that the uncertainty and anxiety surrounding the general manager position has dissipated with the arrival of Brad Treliving, following the departure of Kyle Dubas, who soon found work with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Now it's time for the Toronto Maple Leafs to get down to business and get back to work. The time has come to bring home the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1967.
And that's all that matters.
-David Leboeuf AUSTON MATTHEWS SPORTS ART Here's the painting I have done in tribute to Auston Matthews' record-breaking season, signed by himself in collaboration with Fanatics. On this paintting, you can see many details that sum up his incredible 2021-2022 season, but also elements that are unique to him.
The original painting and an exclusive series of 3 limited giclees, all signed by Auston Matthews, are available from Fanatics. Here's the link to the original painting by Auston Matthews: https://bit.ly/AustonMatthewsRecordSeason Here is the link to the series of 3 exclusive and limited giclees signed by Auston Matthews https://bit.ly/AustonMatthewsRecordSeasonArtPrint
This illustration is officially licensed by the NHL and NHLPA and is available exclusively through Fanatics. Call 1(800) 689-2001 or click on the link for purchase information. Also available, the original 'Matthews Shot' painting and a limited reproduction retouched by Sevigny 1/1 and signed by Auston Matthews.
Here's the link to the original painting by Auston Matthews: https://bit.ly/AustonMatthewsShot Here is the link to the series of 3 exclusive and limited giclees signed by Auston Matthews https://bit.ly/AustonMatthewsShotPrint
This illustration is officially licensed by the NHL and NHLPA and is available exclusively through Fanatics. Call 1(800) 689-2001 or click on the link for purchase information.
Order your limited edition print of 25 of the painting 'Matthews: The Winning Goal' by clicking on the link below: