Matthews is not leaving Toronto

The idea that Auston Matthews won’t re-sign with the Maple Leafs unless they get past the first round may have started out as a joke or one of those doomsday-type of scenarios hanging over the team heading into the season.

But it’s far from realistic.

Matthews isn’t going to Arizona. Or Anaheim or LA. Or anywhere, really.

He’s certainly not leaving Toronto.

For that to happen, there needs to be a perfect storm of catalyst events all occurring at the same time. Sort of like a meteor crashing at the same time as an alien invasion and a nuclear war — plus a couple of active volcanoes, earthquakes and hurricanes.

In Matthews’ case, the Leafs would have to lose in the first round, Dubas would have to get fired, and Mitch Marner would have to also get run out of town.

It’s not happening.

No, Matthews is staying. And there’s probably already a copy of his next contract already saved on a Microsoft Word file waiting for his signature.

The only question is how many years will he sign for? The max term is eight years, which counting next season means that the Leafs could have one of the best players in the league for a very long time.

 But Matthews might not sign for the max value. The last time he signed was for five years. If he thinks there’s an even bigger payday waiting — and after years of the cap remaining flat why wouldn’t he — then maybe he goes for five again, which means he’d be a free agent again before he exits his prime.

Either way, with Matthews’ time coming up, someone may have to get moved out of Toronto this summer — regardless of how the Leafs do. But it won’t be Matthews.