The Toronto Maple Leafs' worsening cap situation spells trouble for a Nylander extension. The team's predicament only deepens with Auston Matthews still unsigned. As negotiations with both players continue, the possibility of a deal being struck seems more and more unlikely.
Speculation about Matthews' Contract
In a recent episode of Leafs Morning Take, hockey pundits Jay Rosehill and Nick Algebra weighed in on the Matthews/Nylander conundrum.
"My theory is that Matthews' contract is already finalized. It reminds me of Nathan McKinnon from last year; even though they didn't announce it on July 1, everyone knew he'd re-sign, especially after winning the Stanley Cup with Denver. The announcement came around training camp. Similarly, I believe Matthews will sign his extension when this year's training camp starts. Regarding Nylander, given his history and the known stance of his father, he's shown he's willing to negotiate until the last minute."
The conversation then shifted towards the implications of Matthews' potential extension for an unsigned Nylander.
"In the meantime, as Rosie mentioned, there's not much to report on the Nylander front, and the same goes for Auston Matthews. When do you expect news on this? Perhaps in September? Honestly, I don't know. With these two guys, it boils down to the team's position. They have players they need to sign; some are overpaid, while others deserve more. There's a salary cap to consider. How will they make it work? I genuinely don't know what they're planning. I have a gut feeling we might lose Nylander, and sadly, he's one of the players I'd prefer to retain. The reason he deserves a higher salary is that many people want to keep him."
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What's Nylander's Real Value?
Reports indicate that the Nylander camp is seeking a contract with an average annual value (AAV) of around $9.5-10 million. Meanwhile, Toronto is aiming to keep the figure at or under $9 million.
Nylander's request may be justified, but the Leafs simply can't afford to give him such a significant chunk of their salary cap space. If the rumors about Matthews' extension are true, there'll be even less room for Nylander. Should Nylander and his team remain steadfast in their demands, the Leafs might have to explore potential trade options for him, rather than risk losing him for nothing.
As seen on Hockey Patrol - Reporter reveals the worst for Nylander and the Maple Leafs
| POLL | ||
22 AOUT | 292 ANSWERS Bad News Concerning Nylander and the Maple Leafs Do you think Nylander played his last game with the Maple Leafs? | ||
| Yes | 212 | 72.6 % |
| No | 80 | 27.4 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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