Leafs reportedly may be forced into a franchise-altering decision
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When Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving was asked about contract negotiations with William Nylander earlier this week, he did not go into too much detail. He did say that they were still working towards signing him, but that was about it.
With Nylander registering at least a point in 17 straight games to begin the season, his asking price may have gone up a few dollars and his agent, Lewis Gross, has a reputation for squeezing every last penny he can out of teams. On Sportsnet's "The Real Kyper and Bourne" show, Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne discussed the current standstill in negotiations and that the Leafs may have to make a franchise-altering decision come the trade deadline.
"They know they're dealing with an agent that has a comfort zone to go right to the very end," said Kypreos
Bourne was quick to jump in and cut off Kypreos, posing the idea that the Leafs have to make a decision about Nylander and Marner sooner than later.
"The scary part is that if you lose Willy Nylander... If you don't have Nylander on your roster and then it's Mitch Marner's turn for a negotiation, then you're screwed. You can't lose them both. So all of a sudden, Mitch has them up against the wall at that point where the Leafs are saying we have to keep one of our elite wingers... You make a decision. You either pick one or you sign Willy for the extra $500K that he's looking for."
Kypreos tabled the question to Bourne if he could see the Leafs moving Nylander by the trade deadline if he isn't signed. Kypreos said he doesn't see it happening. Bourne on the other believes it is a possibility for one very specific reason.
"The only reason I would say yes is because Treliving has made it clear he doesn't want to do the Gaudreau thing again where he can't do anything and the guy just leaves."
If I was in Treliving's position come the deadline, I would not consider moving Nylander then, but if he still remained unsigned at the draft, I would look to complete a sign-and-trade, similar to what he did with Matthew Tkachuk and the Florida Panthers last off-season. At least the Leafs would be able to collect some assets in return instead of having Nylander walk for nothing. As Bourne pointed out, however, if they are unable to keep Nylander, then Marner's next contract will likely come in at a much higher AAV than the Leafs would have probably predicted.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 8 | 1486 ANSWERS Leafs reportedly may be forced into a franchise-altering decision If you were the Leafs, would you trade Nylander if he doesn't sign by the deadline? | ||
| Yes, better to get something than nothing | 648 | 43.6 % |
| No, he's been our best playoff performer | 392 | 26.4 % |
| Just sign him or trade him so we can move on | 446 | 30 % |
| List of polls | ||
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