After becoming the highest paid player in NHL history, thanks to his new 4-year extension that will kick in for the 2024-25 season, Auston Matthews sat down with members of the media via Zoom today. He discussed all things associated with his contract, how he feels about the team and even touched on William Nylander's negotiations.
On the subject of the Nylander contract, Matthews was hopeful that something gets done and appeared to take the approach of friend first, teammate second.
Matthews, unlike many in Leafs Nation, is confident Nylander and the Leafs will come to terms on an agreement. While Nylander was on 32 Thoughts with Elliotte Friedman yesterday, he said there was no rush for him to get one done. The Swedish winger is coming off of a career high in points with 87 and goals with 40 and says he wants to be a Leaf for a long time. It's just a matter of both sides finding common ground in the dollar amount and the term. Hopefully Nylander will be able to work something out before training camp or it's going to be a long season of fielding questions about his extension, or a lack thereof.
