The Toronto Maple Leafs have a huge bargain in William Nylander right now as his season-opening points streak continues. The speculation's increasing on his next deal, though.
William Nylander's UFA status next July prompted some off-season speculation suggesting the Toronto Maple Leafs could trade him if a contract extension proved too expensive.
That trade chatter died away with Nylander's blazing-hot start to this season. Riding a 17-game season-opening points streak, the 27-year-old winger leads the Leafs with 27 points and is also among the NHL's scoring leaders.
It was believed negotiations between Leafs management and Nylander's representatives were shelved until the end of this season. However, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported last Thursday that there was “ongoing dialogue” between the two sides.
Nylander's current average annual value is about $6.962 million, per PuckPedia. His performance thus far is putting him in line for a significant pay raise.
The Toronto Sun's Lance Hornby noted there was thought to be a difference of between $1 million between the two sides this summer within the range of $8 million and $9 million annually. However, he cited Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, suggesting that might not be realistic anymore. Meanwhile, the Toronto Star's Kevin McGran thinks Nylander's supposed $10-million asking price during this summer might have been a bargain.
In his recent column with The Athletic, LeBrun asked team executives from several rival clubs what they felt was a fair market price for Nylander. The answers ranged from an AAV of $8.5 million to a whopping $12.25 million on a seven- or eight-year contract.
With over $53.2 million invested in 11 players for 2024-25, the Leafs can afford to sign Nylander, but it will take a big bite out of their remaining cap space regardless of what they settle on. They would have to make one or two cost-cutting trades next summer to create sufficient room to fill out the remainder of the roster.
