Six players for the Arizona Coyotes to consider offer sheeting

Auston Matthews

This option is regularly discussed by fans on social media and would be the most logical target for the Arizona Coyotes.

At 21 years old, Auston Matthews is a bona fide stud in the NHL – registering 46 points (23 goals, 23 assists) in just 37 games this season already.

He is just three goals shy of 100 NHL goals in his first three seasons and the best part about him could be his willingness to sign an offer sheet coming from the Coyotes.

Matthews grew up in Arizona and is a well-publicised fan of the team, with players such as Danny Briere helping to grow his interest in the game.

There has been a lot of talks that Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs are working on a new deal, but terms of the deal could see him stick around in Canada for just five more seasons.

This would allow Matthews to hit free agency and seek other options by the time he is 27, still in his prime, and could see him opt to return home and wear the Coyotes red.

However, the deal is not yet done and could drag out long if both sides disagree on the particulars of a new long-term contract.

If this drags out to July 1st, the Arizona Coyotes need to jump at the opportunity to force the Leafs’ hand, targeting a player that would do so much more for hockey in the state than any other player on this list.

The Leafs have some very expensive contracts to negotiate this off-season, with very little in the way of cap space available to get all their required deals locked up.

If the Arizona Coyotes have legitimate goals of boosting interest in the team within the state, offer sheeting Matthews, along with one of his teammates (mentioned later), should be a top priority.

It would cost the Coyotes the next four seasons of first-round draft picks, but Matthews is worth the cost due to what he offers far beyond exceptional performances on the ice.

No other player in the league draws as much attention in the state of Arizona than Matthews and, although expensive, bringing ‘Papi’ back to the desert would be the biggest move in franchise history.