It's a familiar refrain from many hockey fans, especially those who aren't fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs: as soon as Auston Matthews' current contract with the Leafs is up, he's going to bolt to the US. Many seem to think he wants to play in his home state of Arizona, perhaps even sooner than when his current deal runs out at the end of the 2023-2024 season. Matthews calls the talk "disappointing."
"We haven't even started my first year (on the new contract) and then this?" the 21-year-old center said at the NHL Players Media Tour on Friday. "I think it's just August, there was nothing going on, why not just spark up a controversy. How better to do that than to talk about the Toronto Maple Leafs."
He's specifically referencing comments made by former NHL executive and current analyst Brian Burke, who told Sportsnet last week he would "bet a sizeable amount of money" Matthews leaves for the US when his contract is up due to lower tax rates.
Matthews, who grew up in Arizona and admits to cheering for the team's success, says he's happy in Toronto.
"I've said it quite a bit: I've never taken it for granted these past three years," he said. "I love playing in Toronto. It's unbelievable. It's the best city to play in in the NHL. Our fans are amazing. The history of the organization is incredible. The spotlight and all of that is something that kind of comes with it and it's something I've learned to embrace and kind of gone with."
Source: NHL.com
