According to what’s been circulating behind the scenes, there is a significant negotiation gap between William Nylander and the Toronto Maple Leafs. The striker first responded to the rumors to calm things down.
In an interview with Elliotte Friedman in Sweden, Nylander recalled that the two parties still had “a lot of time” to reach an agreement. Number 88’s contract expires at the end of next season; He will then be able to gain full autonomy, increasing the pressure on the Maple Leafs.
Nylander also said he wants to play in Toronto and nowhere else. He expressed his incomprehension about the size of these files.
The most relaxed man in hockey. “Plenty of time” to settle his contract says he doesn’t want to be anywhere but Toronto. Don’t understand why everyone spends so much time discussing this. pic.twitter.com/V7RBYNNwxM
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) August 23, 2023
Of the Maple Leafs’ core forwards – which include Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and John Tavares – Nylander is believed to be the most likely to leave the club due to his contract situation.
If the Maple Leafs offer Matthews a gold bridge, there won’t be much money left for him to hand out as he will also be in his final year of contract before being fully free.