Auston Matthews came to Toronto Maple Leafs development camp and left without signing his first NHL contract.
No big deal, says general manager Lou Lamoriello.
"There is nothing to talk about with reference to Auston's contract until it's done," the notoriously tight-lipped Lamoriello said to Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun. "We're certainly talking to his representative. I don't think this is something that's going to take long. I have total confidence that he'll be under contract."
The issue, it would seem, is Lamoriello's distaste for rookie signing bonuses, which should be a 'fait accompli' when it comes to a first overall pick like Matthews.
Here's the kind of standard deal Matthews would be in line to sign, according to Chris Johnston of Sportsnet:
- $925,000 in salary, with $92,500 of it paid as a signing bonus;
- $850,000 in “Schedule A” bonuses, which are tied to individual achievements such as goals, points, time on ice, etc.;
- $2 million in “Schedule B” bonuses, which are given for league-wide excellence such as trophy nominations or finishing among the scoring leaders.
Lamoriello, however, doesn't seem to be too concerned about the situation.
"Auston is Auston. He's an elite player and will be (in the NHL)," he said. "No one's going to be rushed here."
Matthews is expected to report to Maple Leafs training camp after playing for Team North America at the World Cup in Toronto this September.
