Kypreos reports that the Maple Leafs and Nylander are getting closer to a deal, which could carry an AAV of over $11 million.
We could be inching closer to a contract between the Maple Leafs and William Nylander.
On Tuesday, during the Real Kyper and Bourne show, Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos reported that Toronto and Nylander's camp are "trending" closer to getting a deal done.
"It's trending closer to the Leafs and Willy getting a deal done, is what I hear," Kypreos said.
Sportsnet's Justin Bourne followed up by saying, "I've heard similar."
There have been multiple reports this season, saying both sides have been continuing contract negotiations. But this report from Kypreos goes even further, saying the belief is that the Maple Leafs and Nylander's camp want to have the deal done before NHL All-Star Weekend (Feb. 1-3).
"The other belief is that it will be a number that's over [$11 million]. $11.25 million is the one that is probably mentioned the most. Times eight," Kypreos added.
"The other thing you gotta consider is that when the Leafs can frontload this and turn it into a 12 or $13 million upfront signing bonus, it's worth a heck of a lot more than $11.25 million. It creates greater value in real money."
Nylander is having a career year with the Maple Leafs, scoring 48 points (17 goals, 31 assists) in 34 games this season, tied for the fifth-most points in the NHL alongside Connor McDavid.
The 27-year-old 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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