Details of Auston Matthews' expected contract extension are starting to come into focus.
The Toronto Maple Leafs superstar will reportedly get more than $11 million per season but less than the $12.5 million Connor McDavid is being paid, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.
Matthews' camp and Maple Leafs management are expected to meet this week to try to get a contract extension done, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported during Saturday night's "Headlines" segment.
Both sides originally wanted an eight-year deal - similar to what McDavid, Jack Eichel, and other superstars received for their second contracts - but it's going to come down to five or six years to keep the cap hit lower, according to both Johnston and Friedman.
As the Maple Leafs have done with other contracts, including John Tavares', Matthews' deal is expected to be paid out heavily through signing bonuses, which is a luxury the cash-rich organization can afford, Johnston adds.
However, when it comes to the cap hit itself, every dime matters for Toronto and Mitch Marner, Kasperi Kapanen, and Andreas Johnsson will also become restricted free agents on July 1.
Matthews has tallied 23 goals and 23 assists in 37 games so far in his third NHL season.
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