NHL executive offered an extremely bold take on comparing Matthews' next contract to McDavid's

Whenever Auston Matthews signs his extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs, one thing is for sure: he’s going to be a very, very rich man.

Matthews, who’s about to enter the final year of his entry-level contract, was eligible to be signed to an extension when the calendar flipped from June to July earlier this summer.

While much of the discussion has been centred around William Nylander’s contract in Leaf land, TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger explained on TSN 1050’s Leafs Lunch that a Western Conference executive is willing to bet a steak dinner that Auston Matthews won’t make anything less than Oilers captain Connor McDavid, who just so happens to be the most talented player in the game of hockey. 

"I had an NHL manager tell me earlier today - Western Conference, granted - but he goes, 'I will buy you the best steak dinner there is if Auston Matthews signs for a dollar less than what Connor McDavid is making."

You can listen to the full clip below.

How do you like your steak, Dregs? While Matthews is certainly a superstar in his own right, he’s not on McDavid’s level. Over their careers, McDavid’s point-per-game rate is at 1.22, while Matthews is just under one at .92. Matthews potted 63 points in 62 games last season, so if he puts together another season at the same rate, he could come close to making in the neighbourhood of McDavid’s $12,500,000 AAV.

However, Matthews has yet to win a playoff series, nor has he registered back-to-back 100-point seasons to as the Art Ross trophy winner in last two seasons. Last season McDavid also put up 84 even strength points, a 18 more than second place Claude Giroux.

What do you think Matthews will make? Is he closer to McDavid’s $12.5m cap hit, John Tavares’ $11m, or somewhere in the middle? Don’t forget to account for any potential salary cap inflation, too, which is why most agents aim for a certain percentage of the cap now, as opposed to just a hard number.

Let us know what you think the range he’ll sign in by commenting in the Facebook comments or tweeting at us @BarDown.