The 27-year-old is entering the final season of a six-year, $45 million contract with the Maple Leafs.
The 27-year-old is entering the final season of a six-year, $45 million contract with the Maple Leafs.
William Nylander says he wants to be a Maple Leaf for as long as possible.
The 27-year-old spoke to the media at the NHL European Player Media Tour on Wednesday. He discussed his negotiations with the Maple Leafs at length, stating numerous times that he wants to remain in Toronto.
"I want to be in Toronto as long as I can," Nylander told NHL.com. "That's just where my mind is at."
Both he and the Maple Leafs are at an impasse in negotiations. In June, TSN's Chris Johnston reported that Nylander was asking for around $10 million while Toronto wanted a lower number.
"I think that there's going to have to be a decision on Nylander's end about how badly he wants to be a Leaf," Johnston said on The Chris Johnston Show in early July, "how much less than that number he might be able to take because I would be stunned if we saw Toronto sign him to a contract that takes him into that realm."
Nylander, though, says that while his camp and the Maple Leafs have had discussions, there haven't been any lately.
"They had been talking, but I don't think there's been much going on about that," the 27-year-old told NHL.com. "But I'm just focused on getting ready for the season and having my best season yet in order to help us take the next step, too."
Although both sides seem far apart on a number, Nylander did say that he wouldn't mind getting a deal done before the start of next season.
"Yeah, it would be fun if it would be done, but it's not like that where my focus is at," he said via NHL.com. "I'm just ready to have the best season yet and that will take care of itself when it's ready to happen. So, I'm not worried about it."
Nylander had a career year this past season, scoring 40 goals and 47 assists in 82 games. The 27-year-old had an impressive playoff, too, putting up 10 points in 11 games.
While his contract has been a discussion amongst fans and media all summer long, Nylander isn't worried about it. He just wants to remain a Maple Leaf.
"For me, the contract, obviously, I want it to work where I can stay there and be there," Nylander said. "There's no other place I want to play, but I still have one more year left.
"I don't understand why there's such a big rush to do something right now. I still have one more year left."
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