Toronto Maple Leafs Roundtable
'It Could Happen This Week': William Nylander and Maple Leafs Reportedly Nearing Contract Extension
Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos reports that Nylander could make upwards of $90 million on his next deal.
The Maple Leafs are reportedly closing in on a contract extension with William Nylander.
During the first intermission of the Maple Leafs and LA Kings game, Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos and Elliotte Friedman reported that Toronto and Nylander have been in constant contact in the last few weeks about getting a deal done.
Kypreos, on the Real Kyper and Bourne show, reported earlier on Tuesday that both sides wanted to get a deal done before NHL All-Star Weekend.
"$11.25 million is the one that is probably mentioned the most. Times eight," he added.
However, on Tuesday night, Friedman said the extension for Nylander could come sooner.
"I think there's a chance it could happen this week," Friedman said on Tuesday night. "I think the Maple Leafs have made it a priority. With all the talk about the goaltending and the defense about what they have to do, I think they've decided that getting Nylander done is their number one priority.
"I think they've been working hard at it for about three weeks now. And I think there's a chance it could happen sooner as opposed to later."
Friedman continued to say that he's "not confident" in what the AAV would be for Nylander, but he does think the deal will get done "soon."
Following Toronto's 3-0 win against the Kings, Nylander was asked about the report and if he could share any information on the discussions.
"Like I said, I'm not going to answer any questions on that," Nylander said, holding firm to his stance on silence while cracking a smile.
The 27-year-old is having a career year with the Maple Leafs, scoring 50 points (19 goals, 31 assists) in 35 games this season, tied for fifth-most in the NHL alongside David Pastrnak and J.T. Miller.
Nylander also set a Maple Leafs record for the longest point streak to start a season, which ended at 17 games. Nylander is in the final year of a six-year, $45 million deal he signed in Dec. 2018, making him a free agent on July 1 if a contract doesn't get done with Toronto.
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