The Auston Matthews negotiations appear to be on the verge of ramping up, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

"Big week for the Toronto Maple Leafs (as) the team and Auston Matthews' representation are going to sit down and try to work out and get a contract extension done," Friedman said on Saturday's edition of "Headlines".

Matthews, a pending restricted free agent, likely won't garner the maximum term due to the Leafs' cap concerns.

"Initially, both sides wanted eight years, (but) it's just not going to work (because) the number is going to be too high. The team would have to be broken up. So, it's going to come down to five or six years," Friedman said.

Toronto also needs to work out an extension with forward Mitch Marner, who's also a pending RFA.

Matthews ranks second on the club with 23 goals despite missing 14 games due to injury earlier in the season.

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