Yesterday in a completely shocking and last minute move pre-planned press conference, Kyle Dubas said “good progress is being made” in regards to Auston Matthews’ contract.

Last night on Sportsnet Ice Surfing Elliott Friedman said that Matthews’ camp was looking for a five year deal, rather than seven or eight, to get to unrestricted free agency as soon as possible.

It’s a rather silly idea, leaving Toronto. Not only will he get paid in salary, but there’s nowhere else in the NHL that a player can make more money on sponsor ships while he’s playing or while he’s retired. As it’s been said in many places, anyone who wears a Maple Leafs jersey is set for life on Alumni appearances, and autograph signings.

Plus, where else would you go? Arizona? They’d go bankrupt in the first year of that contract, just on the signing bonuses.

There’s no reason to think Matthews will sign for anything less than a max length deal. The more UFA years that are covered by a contract, the higher the salary.

Now, the news.

Trade takes with time machines, what could be better?

Hot Take Time Machine!

Anyone want a Michael Raffl?

Trade target: Michael Raffl brings versatility to any lineup

Or an Andre Burakovsky?

Could Burakovsky Be A Target At The Trade Deadline For The Stars?

Maybe a goalie?

Winning Play: Should Sharks add goalie?

Like Carey Price?  Wait, what?

The Carey Price Ship Has Sailed

Then there’s some insane ideas for the Leafs.

Would a Duncan Keith Trade Make Sense?

The Detroit Red Wings will take any win they can get.

Around the Atlantic: The Detroit Red Wings should only have moral victories this season

Let’s move on to some re-done all star rosters.

NHL All-Star Game Rosters Re-Done - Eastern Conference Edition - Last Word on Hockey

Finally, a sweet, sweet, surprise later today?

Could our wildest hopes and dreams come true?

Oh. You suck, Nick.

MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT UPDATE

Insider Marc Savard, who called the Nylander deal back in November, went for insider take two:

Later on, this was also tweeted out by TSN radio in Edmonton.

If this gets confirmed this morning by the team it makes the Koskinen deal even better.

From The Branches