Insider provides latest update on Nylander and the Leafs
Since July 1st, when William Nylander became eligible to sign an extension with the Leafs, talks have been at a standstill. The Leafs have reportedly been trying to sign Nylander to an 8-year deal under $9M per season while it has been indicated that Nylander is seeking $10M or more per season with the same term. Nylander is coming off of a career-best season where he potted 40 goals and had 87 points for the Leafs - both career highs.
Today on TSN1050's First Up, Chris Johnston was asked if there was any progress on a Nylander extension now that Auston Matthews has been signed. Here's what he had to say about Nylander's future in Toronto:
"I do believe he's being sincere when he's saying he wants to be a Leaf for the rest of his career. I believe that's where his mind is at. We're at an impasse at what each side thinks the numbers look like... but I haven't gotten a sense that anything is particularly close at this time."
As Elliotte Friedman reported a couple of weeks ago following his interview with Nylander, Johnston also believes that Nylander truly does want to be a Leaf the rest of his career. While his ask seems high to many, myself included, with the cap rising significantly in the coming years, even at $10M, Nylander could end up being a bargain for much of his contract.
The issue may be that an 8-year term at that price for the Leafs is too high, given that it would take Nylander to age 35. Paying a player into his mid-thirties over $10M per season will not age well. With training camp set to kick off in mid-September, the Leafs and Nylander are running out of time to get a deal done before camp and have just over a month to get one done before it becomes a potential season-long distraction.
| POLL | ||
5 SEPTEMBRE | 459 ANSWERS Insider provides latest update on Nylander and the Leafs How many years will the Leafs get out of William Nylander if the contract is less than $10M? | ||
| 1-3 | 201 | 43.8 % |
| 4-6 | 215 | 46.8 % |
| 7-8 | 43 | 9.4 % |
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