Here We Go!

Image via theleafsnation.com

The initial feedback from the hockey community about the Auston Matthews re signing is the length of his contract. Typically superstars sign longer term deals, but I am satisfied with the four year deal. The average salary of 13.25 million makes the Leafs superstar sniper the highest paid player per annum in the league and he is worth every penny since goal scoring is the most elite skill in the NHL.

Treliving has made a couple of other bold moves that include the singing of Bertuzzi and Domi and my take on these one year deals is that the franchise is going all in this year and is doing everything they can do to have success in the playoffs. The Leafs finally made it out of the first round this past season, but clearly that was not enough and some major changes had to be made. Dubas was canned, the signings were made and now all every Leafs fan can wait for is how the teams does next year in their run for their first Stanley Cup since 1967. There is still the business of signing Nylander, but all indications are that he is going to stay and there is nothing else to go by. Let him play the season, see how he does and then take things from there. Treliving has my confidence so far and he has made some astute moves that were totally under the radar.I had a wait and see attitude going into free agency and dealing with Matthews and he met all of my needs as a Leafs fan and then some.

Another sign of confidence for the city of Toronto is that teams in the Atlantic Division have taken a step back most notably Boston and Tampa Bay. I think the Leafs are the overwhelming favorite to win the division and home ice in the playoffs for the first time in a long while. The rest of the Eastern Conference is trending forward and teams like the Devils and Hurricanes are young and hungry and will prove to be a tough task. All in all, with the summer coming to an end and the Blue Jays muddling around a playoff spot it was nice to see a Toronto team make a major move. At the end of the day time will tell if any of these moves prove fruitful, but one things for sure they are a major step in the right direction.