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Insider shares the latest on William Nylander's rising contract value; can they make it all fit?

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Mike Armenti
November 13, 2023 (9:35)

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Auston Matthews and William Nylander were most certainly the two biggest storylines over the summer. Both players became eligible to sign extensions on July 1st and, while it took Matthews almost 8 weeks to strike a deal, Nylander is still playing on the final year of his current deal without an extension in place for next season.

Prior to the start of the year, Nylander told the media in Toronto that he wouldn't entertain questions about his contract status throughout the season in an attempt to keep the focus on the season and what the Leafs are able to accomplish as a team. However, we're all curious as to what his next deal will look like if/when it gets done.

TSN's Darren Dreger appeared on TSN 1050's First Up this morning and one of the first things he was asked is where Nylander's current value lies. While we know that his ask this summer was at or above the $10M range and that the Leafs' initial offer was somewhere below the $10M mark, Dreger has now suggested that the number is rising.

"Going into the season, the hope was that they were going to get him on an 8-year max-term at somewhere below $10M, so call it $9.75M. But, the way he's played, whatever his position is, and I believe it's above $10M, he's earned that.

Now, how much higher than $10M can you possibly go? Well, you can't, unless you're overhauling your roster. You just can't collect $10M players and comply with the salary cap. That's not the way it works, but it's a good problem to have.

He is most definitely getting paid. The question is, how willing is he going to be to sacrifice even a little bit? $10M might be a sacrifice from Willy's position." - Dreger on Nylander's rising value

Nylander is the current team leader in points with 22 points on the year, 3 ahead of Matthews in almost 2 less minutes per game. Nylander's 10 goals are 2nd on the team, behind only Matthews, and his 12 assists are tied with Mitch Marner for most assists on the team through 15 games.

With Matthews having signed a new 4-year extension at $13.25M per season as an all-situations center, and Marner having this season and next remaining at $10.9M per season as the team's top line right winger, it would be surprising to see Nylander, who is outperforming both players at the moment, sign for less than $10.5M. If he does, I think we can probably consider that a hometown discount at this point.

Previously on Maple Leafs Daily

Rangers captain throws questionable hit, rookie Adam Fantilli gets right in his face

A Leafs fan brings a unique item for Joseph Woll to sign during a signing this weekend

Oilers fire head coach amid brutal start; Draisaitl and McDavid tied for 28th and 105th in scoring

POLL
NOVEMBRE 13 \| 395 ANSWERS Insider shares the latest on William Nylander's rising contract value; can they make it all fit? Will the Leafs be able to make a Nylander extension fit without breaking up the core?
Yes	171	43.3 %
No	82	20.8 %
Trade him now while his value is high	46	11.6 %
Trade someone else to keep him	96	24.3 %
List of polls

Insider shares the latest on William Nylander's rising contract value; can they make it all fit?

Will the Leafs be able to make a Nylander extension fit without breaking up the core?