NHL Insider reveals likely fate of William Nylander with Leafs
It's going to be one of the biggest storylines this season for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and it could all be coming to a head before too long.
Forward William Nylander's current contract is up next summer, and general manager Brad Treliving is going to be tasked with not only trying to keep him around, but fellow star Auston Matthews, who will find himself in the same boat.
But right now, it appears as though just about nothing is working on Toronto's end to facilitate a new deal for Nylander. According to reports, Nylander is seeking at least $10 million a season in his new deal, and reportedly is not interested in taking a discount in order to help out the team and their already extremely tight salary cap situation. And according to Dave Feschuck during an appearance on TSN's First Up, the Leafs may be forced to move him.
"Nylander has a track record of being very staunch in his beliefs about what he's worth, and the Leafs are very steadfast in what they believe they can pay him. I don't think those two things align, and therefore the Leafs may find themselves in a position where they have to make a move.
You have to trade him; you can't lose him for nothing... I know there are people saying you can have him as your own rental for the year and get the cap space the following summer. I understand, but I don't love the idea of a guy on the way out playing without a contract. It doesn't sit well with me if I'm in that room."
He continued:
"If training camp opens and those deals are not closed books then we have a problem. It'll be the conversation that sucks the oxygen out of the room. It'll be the only topic. if I'm betting I would bet that William Nylander is not gunna be done. Auston Matthews will be done but Nylander wont be. It's gunna be the daily Nylander watch....If it comes to having to make a deal and I think it might cause they're pretty far a part."
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