Rielly hopeful for Matthews extension: 'Whatever it is, we'll take it'

Toronto Maple Leafs veteran Morgan Rielly doesn't care about the details of a potential Auston Matthews extension, he just hopes one gets signed.

"As a friend, a teammate, you name it, you want that guy on your team," Rielly told NHL.com's Dave McCarthy. "I think he loves playing in Toronto, so if he comes back - long-term deal, short-term deal, whatever it is - we'll take it. He's a great player and helped our team tremendously over the years.

"I've got to know him, and obviously, his skill level and who he is as a player is extremely high level."

Matthews is entering the final year of a five-year, $58.1-million pact signed in 2019. He's eligible to sign an extension as of July 1, the same day his full no-move clause is triggered.

Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving said an extension for the 2022 MVP is among his top priorities at his introductory press conference earlier this month. Matthews stated he wants a new deal before the start of the 2023-24 campaign after the club was eliminated from the playoffs by the Florida Panthers in Round 2.

The Maple Leafs star's current $11.64-million cap hit is the fourth-highest in the NHL. His next contract could exceed Nathan MacKinnon's $12.6-million benchmark. Matthews leads all players with 299 goals in 481 games since he entered the league as the first overall pick in 2016. He has two Maurice "Rocket" Richards, two All-Star nominations, and a Hart Trophy to his name.

Toronto qualified for the playoffs in each of Matthews' seven seasons but has only won one round - this spring against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Matthews contributed 44 points in 50 career postseason appearances.