Nylander, at the beginning of the year, said he would not be answering questions about his contract during the season.
Nylander, at the beginning of the year, said he would not be answering questions about his contract during the season.
Although it's been quiet, the contract negotiations between the Maple Leafs and William Nylander continue.
TSN insider Pierre LeBrun provided an update on the negotiations while on Insider Trading on Thursday afternoon, saying both sides want to keep these talks very quiet.
"The thing about it is that it's been quiet by design," LeBrun said. "Both sides made a pact before the season started. They did not want any leaks whatsoever. Both sides want to be tight-lipped and that's exactly the way it's played out so far. And the reality is, if this thing had gone off the rails in terms of contract talks, you probably would be hearing more because you'd get some message sending from one side or the other.
"The reality is, the dialogue is ongoing. My understanding is both sides keep going back and forth. They hope to get something done between now and July 1st, but it's a difficult contract to get done. William Nylander has been spectacular, his salary leverage keeps going up, but the Leafs, also, keep dealing with the salary cap."
Nylander is in the midst of a Maple Leafs record 15-game point streak. The 27-year-old has 10 goals and 12 assists in that span, which puts him first among players in Toronto and eighth in the NHL.
Toronto signed Nylander to a six-year, $45 million deal back in December 2018. This is the final year of that contract and if a deal isn't done by July 1, the 27-year-old will become an unrestricted free agent.
The Maple Leafs are currently in Nylander's home country of Sweden for the 2023 NHL Global Series. Toronto will play two games at Stockholm's Avicii Arena — one on Friday against the Detroit Red Wings at 2 p.m. ET and the other on Sunday vs. the Minnesota Wild at 8 a.m. ET.
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