Marner and Tavares break their silence about the contract situations of Nylander and Matthews
As Brad Treliving continues to re-shape the forward group around Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares and William Nylander, he is also still trying to get Matthews and Nylander to put pen to paper and sign extensions before the season begins. Reports have indicated that Treliving and the Matthews camp are much closer than he and the Nylander camp, but that Matthews won't sign until Nylander does. That has put a stalemate on everything over the last couple of weeks, since both have been eligible to sign since July 1st.
Yesterday, at Mitch Marner's annual Marner Assist Foundation event, both Marner and Tavares were asked about their teammates' negotiations and both had similar comments about Matthews and Nylander.
"I know both of them have a lot of joy and love for this team and want to be here. We'll see. If need be, I'm going to try and get involved and help on both sides. But at the same time, they're my buddies before they are teammates and I'm going to look at them as that," said Marner. Marner also said that he hasn't spoken to either of Matthews or Nylander much about their contracts recently as he prepares for his wedding later this summer, but said that once the wedding is done, they will probably discuss them more. That is, of course, if they haven't signed by then.
"Two different scenarios. It's not always the smoothest process, but at the same time, you know the guys want to be here and want to continue on with the group that we have. So hopefully everything works out. I support them and have their back," commented Tavares when asked about the Nylander and Matthews extension talks.
Obviously Tavares and Marner want Matthews and Nylander to be Leafs beyond this season as they both have 2-years left on their current deals. Tavares and Marner are also watching these negotiations closely to see how they unfold as they will likely be going through the same process next off-season. Both Marner and Tavares will become eligible to sign extensions come July 1st, 2024.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 14 | 241 ANSWERS Marner and Tavares break their silence about the contract situations of Nylander and Matthews Who signs first; Matthews or Nylander? | ||
| Willy signs first | 47 | 19.5 % |
| Auston signs first | 194 | 80.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
