The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that the hockey club has re-signed forward Auston Matthews to a four-year contract extension. The average annual value of the contract is $13.25 million. Matthews has one year remaining on his current contract, which was signed on February 5, 2019.
Matthews, 25, recorded 85 points (40 goals, 45 assists) in 74 games with the Maple Leafs during the 2022-23 regular season and added 11 points (five goals, six assists) in 11 games during the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Scottsdale, Arizona native has recorded 542 points (299 goals, 243 assists) through 481 career regular season games while collecting 44 points (22 goals, 22 assists) through 50 career playoff games.
Among all-time franchise leaders, Matthews is currently tied for fifth in goals (299) and tied for second in overtime goals (nine). He is also fifth overall in power play goals (76), fourth in game-winning goals (53), and 11th in points (542).
Matthews won the Hart Memorial Trophy following the 2021-22 season where he led the NHL in goals (60) and set the Maple Leafs’ single-season franchise record. Matthews also won the 2022 Ted Lindsay Award, becoming the first Maple Leaf in franchise history to win the award. He won the Rocket Richard Memorial Trophy in consecutive seasons (2020-21 and 2021-22) and captured the 2016 Calder Trophy as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year. Matthews has represented Toronto at the NHL All-Star Game on four occasions during his career (2017, 2018, 2019, 2022) and has been named to the NHL’s First All-Star Team and Second All-Star Team on one occasion each (2022 and 2021, respectively).
Internationally, Matthews represented the United States at the 2016 IIHF World Championship and registered nine points (six goals, three assists) in 10 games to earn a Top 3 Player on Team recognition. He also represented the United States at two World Junior Championships (2015, 2016), capturing a bronze in 2016, two World U-18 Championships (2014, 2015), capturing gold at both, and the 2014 World U-17 Hockey Challenge. He took part in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey in Toronto as a member of Team North America and registered three points (two goals, one assist) in three games.
Selected 1st overall by Toronto in the 2016 NHL Draft, Matthews has been an alternate captain for the club since the 2019-20 season.
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
Here we go! Auston Matthews has re-signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs to a four-year extension with an AAV of $13.25M. As expected, Matthews will be the highest paid player in the NHL. He deserves it as he's the second best player in the league in our eyes. pic.twitter.com/nvnjyPQmDt
— Andy & Rono (@ARHockeyStats) August 23, 2023
Auston Matthews becomes the new highest paid player in hockey — and is still underpaid.
The term may be light, but the AAV is a massive win for the Leafs. pic.twitter.com/rbM7v13OWk— dom 📈 (@domluszczyszyn) August 23, 2023
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
Most 5v5 goals in the last 3 seasons:
92 — Auston Matthews
73 — Connor McDavid
70 — David Pastrnak
67 — Mikko Rantanen
64 — Kyle ConnorHe's pretty good. pic.twitter.com/d3DmK5X33u
— Big Head Hockey (@BigHeadHcky) August 24, 2023
Goal leaders since 2016-17:
299 — Auston Matthews
297 — Alex Ovechkin
287 — Connor McDavid
285 — Leon Draisaitl
276 — David PastrnakThrough countless injuries, AM34 is still #1. pic.twitter.com/RfbN704tH9
— Big Head Hockey (@BigHeadHcky) August 23, 2023
A few words on a recent contract signing. #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/xtXjHKVe4S
— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) August 23, 2023
