William Nylander laughs during Wednesday’s 32 Thoughts interview when given the opportunity to address the rumors circulating about the nature of his contract demands, including his alleged refusal to accept an extension carrying anything less than eight figures on an AAV and his wish to move into the tax bracket of his more lavishly compensated star teammates.
The details of the deal are solely for Brad Treliving and my agent to investigate. I mean, I believe that both sides are aware of one another’s locations. And for now, we will just have to wait and see,” Nylander sidestepped during his meeting with Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman in Stockholm.
Since I still have a year left, I am not really sure why there is such a great rush to close a sale. We have a fantastic team, I mean, I have one more year left, and then we go forward.
Nylander is not wrong. And he is in no hurry.
The laugh assures his audience that Nylander has no panic while slow-playing his hand as one of the most coveted impending unrestricted free agents of July 1.
Heck, he’s happy to report to camp and play for the only NHL city he’s known and the only one he plans to represent.
“I still have one more year, and I know how much I love it there. And it would take a lot for me to want to leave Toronto. Like, that’s a place I want to be at. And that’s where my mind’s at for the coming year and for the future. I’m not thinking about being anywhere else,” said Nylander, comfortable with the status quo.
“Well, you examine the company. They look after you better than any other team in the league, and everyone around you—including the personnel, trainers, and equipment staff—makes sure you have access to the greatest resources possible to achieve your goals.
“And then there are the amazing supporters.” The city came next. This is essentially where I have lived the majority of my life. I therefore feel at home here.
With a team-friendly $6.96 million contract until 2023–24, the 40-goal scorer is under contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He also has some protection in the shape of a 10-team no-trade list, and his imminent free agency is more than 10 months away.
In previous discussions, Nylander and agent Lewis Gross both demonstrated a readiness to go all the way to the wire.
Furthermore, there is a good chance that they would rather 2024 UFA Auston Matthews, a teammate, sign his Leafs agreement first. That would increase the salary cap for the league as a whole as well as in Toronto’s locker room.
Furthermore, there is a good chance that they would rather 2024 UFA Auston Matthews, a teammate, sign his Leafs agreement first. That would increase the salary cap for the league as a whole as well as in Toronto’s locker room.
It should therefore come as no surprise that club general manager Treliving would rather not have a key player like Nylander remain a “own rental” for an extended period of time.
Surely, the sooner the better? I mean, the notion is that you can plan more effectively when you are aware of where things stand. If you know that tomorrow will be rainy, consider bringing a jacket. Therefore, clarity is usually beneficial, Treliving stated in late June.
