Auston Matthews shares his thoughts on Connor McDavid's discount Oilers extension

Just over 24 hours later, the hockey world is still buzzing over Connor McDavid's extension to remain with the Edmonton Oilers. 

Not only did the superstar center re-sign, but he did so on more team-friendly terms than anyone could have predicted. 

With the rising salary cap and massive money that's been thrown around in recent weeks, the expectation was that McDavid would become the highest-paid player in the league on his next contract, as he should. 

However, we were all fooled when the details of the two-year, $25 million extension were revealed, as McDavid took a major discount to help Edmonton in their pursuit of a Stanley Cup. With that being the topic of the day in hockey, Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews was asked about it during his media availability. 

Leafs Latest shared the clip with his response on X (formerly Twitter). 

"Yeah, I mean, I think for him it's all about winning and setting himself up for the best opportunity to do that. Yeah, I mean, I don't really know, you know; I'm not like in those conversations or anything. Obviously I have a lot of respect for him, been fortunate to get to know him over the years. And I know that from my time around him that's the main thing that he obviously wants to do is what everyone wants to do is to win, and he's as committed as anybody to it," Matthews said. 

— Leafslatest (@Leafslatest) October 7, 2025

The 28-year-old Matthews is about to enter the second season of the four-year, $53 million extension he signed with the Maple Leafs in 2023, which pays him $750,000 more than McDavid in average annual salary. 

Important year for Matthews

With Connor McDavid now confirmed to be making $12.5 million for the next three seasons, Auston Matthews will remain the NHL's second-highest-paid player in 2025-26, and he needs to prove he's worth that. 

The superstar center has been dominant throughout his career, but 2024-25 was a down year that we hadn't ever seen from Matthews, and the pressure and responsibility have risen to another level with Mitch Marner no longer on his wing. 

It's safe to expect a bounce back from Matthews, though the Maple Leafs need more than just a better season than last year; they need him playing at the Rocket Richard and Hart Trophy-winning form he's proven capable of.

He and the Buds will begin the new campaign with their home opener against the rival Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night at Scotiabank Arena.