Connor McDavid will remain with the Edmonton Oilers after signing a two-year, $25 million contract extension. “Our journey here continues,” McDavid said on X after the deal was announced. Last season, McDavid recorded 26 goals and 74 assists in 67 games, along with 33 playoff points, helping the Oilers reach their second straight Stanley Cup Final. The discussion recently intensified following a reaction from Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews.

David Pagnotta, Editor-in-Chief of The Fourth Period, tweeted Matthews’ comment on McDavid’s extension: “Auston Matthews on McDavid’s extension with Edmonton at a ‘modest’ $12.5M AAV: ‘I think for him, it’s all about winning.'” Matthews, named the youngest captain in Maple Leafs history in 2019, has led Toronto to strong regular seasons but playoff disappointment—never advancing past the second round. Many fans interpreted Pagnotta’s tweet as a suggestion that Matthews lacks McDavid’s championship drive.

However, Matthews’ full statement was more nuanced: “For him it’s all about winning & setting himself up for the best opportunity to do that… in my time around him that’s the main thing he wants to do. It’s what everybody wants to do—to win—and he’s as committed as anybody.” Despite this, fans reacted negatively, criticizing Matthews for what they perceived as a lack of urgency. Toronto’s failure to win a Stanley Cup during his captaincy continues to fuel frustration and debate.

Fans bash Matthews over Connor McDavid statement

Reading David Pagnotta’s tweet, many fans have felt distaste towards Matthews, and many are now attacking the NHL Centre. One fan commented, “Thanks for clarifying what you don’t want to do then Auston!“, feeling that the Toronto captain is not interested in winning, and no Stanley Cup under his captaincy further adds to the belief. The Toronto Maple Leafs’ most recent major trophy was the Presidents’ Trophy in the 2021–22 NHL season, awarded to the team with the best regular-season record.

Another user wrote, “Matthews confirms… winning isn’t for him. He just takes money from the leafs and go golfing by end of April 😍” The NHL centre is an avid golfer. He has been seen practicing his swing and has participated in charity golf events, such as the Leafs & Legends Charity Golf Classic in 2019. In a 2021 interview with the NHLPA, Matthews shared that he has a low golf handicap. But who would know that love would someday be used to troll him? Many have also called out the Leafs’ captain for only taking the money.

One comment read, ” Well, this is definitely a very telling comment from the Leafs Captain. The Oilers Captain has his priorities right. Every young hockey players dream is to win the Cup regardless of the sacrifice. Then there’s the Leafs captain that wants big $$ for his purses and pantsuits.” Another one also said, “and for Auston it’s about being the first 20+ mill player. He has timed it perfectly with his current deal.” Matthews signed a four-year, $53 million extension with the Maple Leafs on August 23, 2023, which runs through the 2027–28 season.

In terms of money, as of the end of the 2023–24 season, Matthews’ total career earnings amounted to approximately $60.95 million. By the conclusion of his current contract in 2028, his projected total earnings are estimated to be around $121.9 million. Mitch Marner was also brought into the conversation as one fan commented, “And there are people who think Marner was the biggest problem LOL. This is the captain BTW“.

Marner, drafted 4th overall by Toronto in 2015, scored 741 points in 657 games over nine seasons, including a career-best 102 points in 2024–25. In June 2025, he was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights on an eight-year, $96 million deal. Many criticised his performance, but for this fan he was not the only problem; it was the captain as well. While the fans’ anger is justified but let’s keep in mind, the original statement is more than David Pagnotta’s tweet.