NHL Rumor Mill – January 9, 2024
The fallout from the Leafs re-signing William Nylander, an update on Oilers goalie Jack Campbell, and the latest on the Senators in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
FALLOUT FROM THE NYLANDER SIGNING
TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan believes the work has just begun for Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving after signing William Nylander yesterday to an eight-year, $92 million contract extension.
On July 1, captain John Tavares and winger Mitch Marner will be eligible to sign contract extensions as they’ll both be in the final season of their current deals. Marner’s next contract will probably cost between $11.5 million annually and $13.25 million.
Treliving could also consider tweaking his roster by the March 8 trade deadline. Bolstering the defense remains a priority. He could also look at adding a depth forward.
TORONTO STAR: Kevin McGran also noted that T.J. Brodie, Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi are slated to become unrestricted free agents on July 1. Meanwhile, goaltender Ilya Samsonov continues to work on improving his game with the AHL Marlies.
ESPN.COM: Greg Wyshynski speculates Nylander’s new contract could come up in contract negotiations between the Vancouver Canucks and Elias Pettersson. The difference, however, is Nylander was slated to become a UFA on July 1 whereas Pettersson is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.
Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart and Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jake Guentzel could also benefit from Nylander’s new deal. They’re a little older but could make the case for seeking over $10 million annually on their new contracts.
Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It will likely cost the Leafs more than Nylander’s $11.5 million and less than Auston Matthew’s $13.25 million AAV to get Marner under contract. He could come in between $12 million and $12.5 million on a long-term deal.
Tavares is playing well but the 33-year-old Leafs captain will have to accept a pay cut from his current $11 million AAV to stay in Toronto. How much of a cut will determine whether he has a future with the Leafs beyond July 1, 2025. It’ll have to go at least below $10 million for sure.
The Leafs can afford to re-sign Brodie, Bertuzzi and Domi but they won’t overpay to do so. It won’t be surprising if at least one of them ends up hitting the open market on July 1.
Pettersson is two years younger than Nylander and keeping pace with the Leafs winger in points. I wouldn’t be shocked if he ended up with a similar contract given his value to the surging Canucks.
Reinhart and Guentzel could get over $10 million annually on their next contracts with the salary cap rising by $4.2 million for 2024-25. Whether they get them from their current clubs remains to be seen.
WILL THE OILERS TRY TO MOVE CAMPBELL?
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports Edmonton Oilers general manager Ken Holland intends to see if Jack Campbell can bounce back though there’s no real sign of it yet.
“I’ll watch Jack Campbell, I’ll work the phones, I’ll watch our team and ultimately between now and the trade deadline, make some decisions with our staff as to what we think we need to do,” said Holland.
LeBrun speculates the Oilers GM could attempt to add a veteran goalie to be a 1B with Stuart Skinner or a more traditional backup. He thinks a goalie trade is possible but doesn’t see a likely scenario where they can move Campbell’s contract before the trade deadline.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: LeBrun thinks it could cost the Oilers two first-round picks to convince a club to take on the remaining three years of Campbell’s contract. Unless the Oilers are willing to retain up to half of his $5 million average annual value, I don’t see him going anywhere by deadline day.
LATEST ON THE SENATORS
SPORTSNET: Wayne Scanlan believes roster changes are inevitable for the struggling Ottawa Senators. With their playoff hopes fading away, management must decide who stays and who goes.
Scanlan wonders what effect the years of losing could have on defenseman Thomas Chabot and team captain Brady Tkachuk. He wondered if the new front office is as devout to sticking with the mantra of building with youth as their predecessors.
General manager Steve Staios has publicly said he wants to add a veteran or two. However, there is a theory that he could also attempt to shake things up by moving one or two of the young core players.
THE ATHLETIC: Ian Mendes believes all eyes will be on Senators forwards Vladimir Tarasenko and Dominik Kubalik leading up to the March 8 trade deadline. Both are eligible to become unrestricted free agents on July 1.
Mendes also noted that Thomas Chabot’s no-trade clause kicks in on July 1. While it seems doubtful the Senators would trade their best defenseman, the new regime in charge isn’t beholden to anyone on this roster as they didn’t acquire any of them.
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Staios is trying to juggle salary-cap space to make room for center Shane Pinto once he’s finished serving his 41-game suspension later this month. He’ll have to demote someone or make a cost-cutting trade.
Garrioch also reports Staios will find it difficult to add one or two veteran players at this time. Teams that have good character players prefer to keep them and those that are available come with a high asking price. A league executive also said those players prefer going to a playoff contender rather than Ottawa.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Garrioch indicated Staios and his front office team aren’t ready to move core players like Chabot, Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, Josh Norris, Drake Batherson and Jake Sanderson. We won’t see any of those guys being peddled by the trade deadline.
Nevertheless, Scanlan makes a good point about the effect that years of losing could have on some of those players, especially guys like Chabot and Tkachuk who’ve been there the longest. Perhaps one or two of them grow weary of this situation and request a trade in the offseason.
For now, Tarasenko and Kubalik appear to be the only notable Senators certain to be on the move by the deadline. We’ll see if that changes in the coming weeks.
Kings have lost a lot of games lately. I wouldn’t say strictly because of goaltending. They were all close save for the Leafs game. They’re on a pretty tough road trip right now. They could fall a bit if their slide continues. Could be a shake up coming.
Sitting Spence for Clarke and mixing the lines up didn’t seem to help.
The Kings gave up a lot to acquire PLD. I was shocked that they gave Iafallo in that deal. He was one of the main reasons why the Kings gave the Oilers such a problem in the last 2 playoff series between the two teams. Vilardi wasn’t a small piece in those series either. Those two were more than just support players on the Kings. The Kings may not have the support in their top 6 anymore to maintain their current position.
Kings had to move Alex Ialallo in the PLD deal to get under the cap. As he’s making 5 million dollars a year.
IMO the Kings were in a better position with Iafallo and Vilardi and without PLD than they are with PLD and without Iafallo and Vilardi.
Hey Les,
Your Right, Kings only goaltender Cam Talbot is starting to play like he did in edmonton and all the other stops he has had will start to fall apart…..
With backup goaltender Pheonix Copley sidelined for the season by knee surgery, The kings now need an (Above Average Goaltender) to share the workload…with 36 yr old Talbot carry the load,
Remember Talbot tails of every year about this time if he plays a lot…❓
GM, Rob Blake will call two Canadian Teams on the east cost….
Habs GM Kent Hughes about Jake Allen and
Sen’s GM Steve Staios about the Sens starter, X kings goaltender they missed out signing due to a low ball offer the kings made @$3.5.M for
Joonas Korpisalo………🤔
where there is Smoke there is Fire 🔥
Aaron Dell = LA Kings.
Just so I understand this williew, the team with the 2nd best GA/GM has a tender problem and should contact two teams with some of the worst GA/GM about their tenders?
The point being that they missed out by signing Talbot at $1M/year for 1 year who has the 3rd best SV% in the entire NHL, for any tender who has played at least 15 games. Trade for Koripsalo who is on a 5 x $4M deal and is back to his normal leaky self?
Could LA use a quality guy in tandem or backup with Talbot, agreed, but not sure why you would go shopping there.
I would target the following pending UFA’s on non playoff teams, like almost all TDL deals are:
Mrazek, Kahkonen, Dreidger. If these guys fall of the pace, try them too Reimer, Lankinen, Nedelijovic. Or what SOP said, give Dell a try now and see how he does.
If your gonna make an actually hockey trade for a guy with term, go after one of the Arizona guys, they might be willing to do it.
Blake will get somebody and if they do keep Talbot healthy or find another guy, I sure wouldn’t want to play the Kings for 6 or 7 games. Strap your helmet on tight.
I dare him to call about Korpisalo. The Sens will buy him a plane ticket and pay for the move. He’s been pretty darn good but the team plays awful defense in front of him. But guaranteed Staios wants that 4×4 deal off the books to help with Pinto.
Good thing I’m not the Leafs GM. I would have traded Nylander for a goalie or a person who can play defense correctly or both. They have more than enough goal scorers. Silly team does silly things.
Ottawa reporters really don’t step far out of the lines when making these comments. Nobody want’s Kubalik, even at his reduced price by the trade deadline. Tarasenko has been “ok” more of a distributor than a scorer. Somehow Pinto needs to be signed. To me Korpisalo seems the more likely one to be heading out the door. He’s made some great saves and been alright from my eye test. Their over all team defense is horrendous. A lot of these goals can’t be blamed on goaltending. I’d throw Kubalik onto Korpisalo and ship him somewhere willing to take on that deal. If Kubalik gets no takers it might have to be Mathieu Joseph who’s played very well. The obvious issue is taking on 4 more years of 4 million. But Korpi still has upside.
Re Kings Goaltending woes❗️
Sens did Not offer Talbot a contract, i was shocked that the Kings did at $1.M PA……… Talbot playing behind the Sen’s d was not good just like the last 5 years of Talbot playing behind the folloing teams
,
-The Oilers,
-The Wild,
-& Philly,
-& Calgary
-& Ottawa
& Now LA Kings….
I dont think Hawks will trade Mrazek? The young back up Söderblom is not ready to be starter..?
Same with the Pens 28 yr old Alex Nedeljkovic he is playing Very Very Well not sure who is #1 with the Pens, …
Him or Jarry they may extend him as a UFA….🤔❓
Kahkonen, Dreidger. Reimer, Lankinen,
dont have playoff experince and dont have Great numbers…..
They are all back ups…! thats a Gamble there with these 4 tenders with Cam Talbot
I would give Dell a go he played very well at the Spangler Cup, but as a third Goaltender.👍
One more player to mention, fromer Hawks former RW, & Centre 26 yr old John Quinnville was the leading point scorer for Canada…..👌
Maybe give Dell a try now as a 3rd goaltender and see how he does?
Tarasenko has a no trade . Not that he won’t wave but he will decide where he goes next.
I would add Chychrun to that list noted.
A very good player and a very good contract.
Keep in Mind with Nylander that he was under paid for about 3 years. Tavares will have to take a pretty big haircut . I don’t think he would mind if he can stay in Toronto for around $7m shorter term
Campbell is stuck and so are the Oil.
If he can’t get straight after a year and half , when might that be, next fall ? They are going to have ride it out and then buy it out down he road. I think Allen is the answer at least short term
As an aside, Vladar was obtained for a third round pick from Boston.
If Toronto decides to keep Tavares after his current contract expires, (and I am of the opinion that they probably should not), I think the salary haircut he takes should be even larger, like in the $5 – $6M range. When you take into account the value he has delivered so far, and his mediocre (at best) playoff performance, he has already been overpaid by at least $10M by the Leafs. It’s time for him to repay the team by signing a team friendly contract. Otherwise, let him walk, or convince him to accept a trade, even if Toronto has to eat 40%.
Hey Lago,
I would offer Tavares $3.5 to $4.M Tops for 2 years then he is done in Toronto.
The Leafs have some good young guys coming up and they need to spend that extra saved
“Tavares Money”
on d/men the Leafs d and lack off has been one the main problem for years and years now along with inconsistent 1A Goaltending in Toronto….
=Re 1st round EXITS ‼️
As you said,
It’s time for him to repay the team by signing a team friendly contract. Otherwise, let him walk, or convince him to accept a trade 👍
PS
I dont know if this is going to be Toronto’s year due to all the things they need to FIX this year and next.. looks like its more next year❓
This year $300,000 in cap space
Next year they have $21.M in Cap space
what they need to fix
-1A Goaltender $$4-6.M
-2 top 4 d/men $8 to 9.M
-1 top 6 forward $4M
and 4RFA on the team… $3.M+
with only $21M to spend…🤔 😩
Willie- well stated, good logic, and sound assessment of Toronto’s current state and needs. I couldn’t agree with you more.
I can see Toronto and Tavares doing each other a favour.
The Leafs need cap space.
Tavares wants to stay in Toronto.
Keep in mind Tavares turns 35 at the start of his next contract.
I can imagine he’d likely sign for 4M on a 2-year deal (remember, he’ll be 35 and 36 during these years, and much less effective, and he’s already taken less to come to Toronto). After that he’ll likely sign 1-year minimums till he’s ready to retire (a la Spezza).
It’s hard to predict how long he’ll play before retirement, but let’s be optimistic and say he plays till he’s 40. That would be $750,000, or whatever the min is at that time, for 4 more years.
That’s a total earnings of 11M for 6 more years on 5 future contracts.
I wonder if they could agree to an 8-year deal for that $11M to bring down the cap, and just drift off to Robidas Island when he’s no longer effective, or take a position in management like Spezza did. This would make his cap hit $1.375M for 8 years.
Now, before you argue my numbers, or just shot this idea down off-hand, replace my numbers with your own and do the math. My idea isn’t for the annual numbers I came up with, rather the concept of spreading the cap hit over a full 8 years that you know he won’t play-out, using numbers that the two sides can agree on.
Yes Sens d needs work, and a Re-vamp of 2 players
I would move out 24 yr old LD/RD Erik Brännström
and bring in a Big Tough stay at home d/man, to the d core and add leadership and grit to that group
The 26 yr old Thomas Chabott is hurt Way to Much, they need to put a big bone crushing d/man beside him..? Or
Trade him out and go the UFA route to re-place him there are some good ones avalable this year….❓
They also need Size on the 3rd & 4th Wings
Brady Tkachuk shoul;d not be there tough guy, he is not scared from anybody, but should not be there Fighter… 🤔
Sens should get Big Qubecer Nic Deslauriers from Philly to be there tough guy…..❓
TML will trade/lose both Tavares and Marner, they just don’t need them.
Both are good players, both are worth their contracts, both produce, both are good in the dressing room and both are happy Leafs.
Unfortunately time has shown that core 4 is poorly constructed, not the cost or % of team salary but that core 4 should be a G any 2 of 3 D and F.
Matthews and Nylander provide more than enough offense for a Cup winning team. $20 million on an A level G and D would make it more likely.
I feel Marner is undervalued by hockey fans. He is the guy that stirs the drink in Toronto. Marner is also the type of player who makes other players better around him. Every great sniper in the NHL has/needs a setup guy. Matthews will still get his goals without Marner, but he won’t reach the 60 goal mark without him. Kurri had Gretzky, Hall had Oates, Ovi had Backstrom. Nylander is no setup guy. Plus both Tavares and Marner have full NMCs, they aren’t going anywhere unless they want to.
Couldnt disagree more. I would love to see him carry a line without Matthews or JT- like Nyalnder has in the past and see what he does. Again great player but not in the elite category
Sam, I think you misunderstood what I was saying. Marner is a winger, he isn’t expected to carry a line. He is the playmaker on his line. IMO it’s no coincidence that when Matthews and Tavares had their highest goals per season they had Marner on their wing the majority of the time.
Matthews is a goal score, there is no debate about that, and he will get his goals. When you pair Matthews with a player like Marner he will score even more goals.
Nylander is a good player on his own, but he also seems very streaky. Do we really know what type of player he is? From the 2015/16 season to the 2020/21 season, Nylander was just under a point a game. In the last two seasons, he moved up to a point-per-game player. Now all of a sudden he is producing at 1.5 points per game. Is this production maintainable? Right now looking at his career stats he averages .867 points per game.
Marner’s whole career he has been a point-per-game player. We all know who he is.
I’m trying not to take anything away from Nylander, he is a good player, but IMO Marner is more valuable than Nylander.
Sam, I was just thinking about your comment about seeing Marner on a line away from Matthews and Tavares. The same could be said about Nylander. What would he look like away from Matthews or Tavares? Or better yet what would Nylander look like if other teams were deploying their top line against him and not focused on stopping the Matthews and Marner line?
Didn’t hall sue Oates?
Nylander has actually played 3rd line centre-in the playoffs and spent time away from JT and Matthews. Marner never has. This year, when Nylander was on Matthews wing- Matthews was on an asbolute heater- thats no coincidence. Than all of the sudden he was taken off- s
I’m not going to bash Marner- but he isnt a line driver- you are right- he is a complimentary player- he isnt the guy.
No Nylander – is no setup guy- he scores the goals…
In my opinion, I pay the guy that drives the line and scores the goals and can play centre – more-
i dont Marner for granted I just think he got paid way more than what he was worth- so there shouldnt be minimal raise going forward.
How did it work out playing Nylander at centre? From what I heard it didn’t last too long. Nylander is no centre. This just shows that the Leafs have a depth issue that they were so desperate they tried playing a top 6 winger at 3rd line centre.
Yeah, Marner isn’t the guy and he may never be the guy, but he is the guy that makes the guy a better player. Matthews has had some success away from Marner for short periods of time. Marner has also had success away from Matthews. There is a reason why at the end of everything Marner ends up on Matthews wing.
One thing Nylander has never done is play the majority of his career against other teams best players, unlike Marner has done the majority of his career.
@Kevjam @Sam you 2 should give up your argument since it appears neither of you watch them play or know what you`re talking about. Nylander not a passer, yet he has 33 assists in 37 games. Tied for 7th in the NHL despite playing less games than a few of those ahead of him. As far as Nylander being streaky, he started the season on a 18 game point streak and I believe is currently on a 17 game streak. Yep that`s streaky alright. Up until this year Nylander`s ice time was considerable less than both Marners and Matthews. The Nylander experiment as the 3rd line centre failed for 2 reasons. 1 no wingers to play with and 2 he`s terrible at faceoffs, which was the main reason why Tavaras centres the 2nd line and not Willy. Willy has shown growth in every aspect of his game each year (except faceoffs). Both are great players, both are wingers, now both are over paid. Who`s more valuable, I`ll go with Willy. He`s not the whiner Marner is. Now that Willy has an 8 year deal and I don`t believe Toronto can afford both players. So, the only thing left is For which door Marner wants to exit through. There`s 31 doors Mitch pick one and don`t let it hit you on the way out
Marner should be paid in the vicinity of Nylander’s new contract.
Somewhere between $11.5 – $12
Any more than that puts him in the Matthews, McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon range where he does not belong.
Marner like Nylander is an excellent player but not in the elite, generational category.
Tavares should be offered a 2 – 3 year extension for half (1/2) what he is being paid now.
Any more than that is too much.
He should also give up his captaincy and either Morgan Reilly or Matthews should take on that role in the future.
I have to ask why would Marner require more money than Nylander? I mean if it’s more because cap goes up and its percentage of the cap same to that of Nylander – great. Yet there is no scenario right now where anyone can make the case he is a better player. I’m a Leafs fan…they have not been giving the same treatment since they came into the league yet Nylander is outperforming him.. why is Marner considered the player that requires more cash? Honest question. I don’t want to hear about Marner’s playoff points- those are extremely misleading – if you watch the playoff games you know he is not impactful at all. One would argue he has been an anchor during the playoffs. he cannot cycle the puck and gets bodied way too easily..
I was wondering exactly the same. From our here on the west coast, I see less of the Leafs, but Nylander seems to be a more impactful player than Marner. I figure maybe they both get the same deals?
The rumour was that the Leafs were willing to trade Nylander for a stud D during the off season but could find no takers.
If true, it tells me that the Leafs would be willing to move Marner as well as I too think Nylander is the better of the two.
It also tells me:
The Leafs know they can’t win with their current Core 4, and
They probably won’t have any better luck trading Marner for a stud D.
This means that Tavares is indeed going to have to take a pay cut if he wants to stay with the Leafs.
Or it could be said that all the other teams knew what Nylander was going to ask for and knew he wasn’t worth it.
We all have seen plenty of players go off and have a career year right before they become UFAs. Nylander is currently doing something he hasn’t done before. Marner is doing exactly what he has done his whole career.
You really don’t think that the Avalanche wouldn’t line up to add Marner to MacKinnen’s wing?! or the Panthers to add Marner to Barkov’s wing?! or the Canucks to add Marner to Pettersson’s wing!? and the list could go on. Unlike Nylander, Marner makes those around him better players.
What LJ said
KevJam- so everyone would line up to add Marner ? but no one would be interested in signing Nylander- so the Leafs just gave him 11.5 for 8 years even though there was no interest in him league wide, come on..
You are right, we know what Marner is- not particularly fast, not strong on the puck, no shot. He is an incredible passer with great hockey sense. Unfortunately, he is easily neutralized in the playoffs. Stats dont tell the whole story..secondary assists and padding stats in one game are more indicative. Even the most ardent supporter knows he is invisible come playoff time.
How did playing centre workout for Nylander? it worked out well in the playoffs in back to back years when kadri was suspended. I didnt see them trying Marner at centre?
Look, Im as big a leafs fan as the next guy – as Im sure you are…but I dont think I have seen marner on a 120 point pace (if you want to use points as a gauge)..Some players blossom later than others, either way ceiling seems to be a little higher on Nylander these days..
I agree Marner always ends up on Matthews wing- even after Nylander was there and MAtthews was ripping it,,,but I dont think we agree on the reason why he does…
LJ – spot on- no team is moving a STUD D- how many are there in the league? for Nylander OR Marner….period….
We are built the wrong way unfortunately. When faced with signing Nylander or Marner to signing two lesser D in the Orlov or Lindholm mold they kept what they were familiar with.
Sam, I understand why you don’t like Marner’s stats. It’s because they contradict what you say. Since 2016/17 Marner leads the Leafs in playoff points with 10 goals and 37 assists. 22 of those 37 assists are the first assist. I know it’s not a really good stat, but Marner is the only Leafs top 6 forward who is a plus player in the playoffs. Marner is the only Leafs forward who has any shorthanded points in the playoffs (1g, 2 a). Marner, who isn’t a goal scorer has 3 playoff game-winning goals compared to 2 GWGs for Nylander.
“Look, I’m as big a Leafs fan as the next guy – as I’m sure you are…but I don’t think I have seen Marner on a 120-point pace”
First off, I’m an Oilers fan, not a Leafs fan. Secondly, up until now, we’ve never seen Nylander on a 120-point pace. We have seen more players have career years on the free agent season and then never see that production again, Huberdeau being the most recent.
Kev Jam- and yet didnt they give Marner 10.9 based on a career year? Are you supposed to pay the players based on their career lows. Nylander and 220 points over last 200 games…last year was a good season as well=wasnt it?
No I dont like Marner’s stats bc I watch almost every leaf game and playoff game and I dont see him being any more impactful than Nylander…and I think Nylander is the more dynamic player…
now do we know if he can keep it up ? its been 1 1/2 years and he hasnt played with Matthews much?
What I do know is he is on pace for numbers that Marner has never had…
Everyone seems to think Marner tries harder lol? How is this guaged? He doesnt hit, neither does Nylander, so is it because he grimaces alot? He was killing penalties – and now seems Matthews and Nylander can do that as well…?
Again, Nylander is 27- and maybe just maybe he is peaking right now? Or does every time a player turns it on in their mid twenties we should be scared of a regression.
Huberdea is a great example! But so is Matt Tkachuks 100 point season. We dont think Reinhart will get paid based on his career year?All Im saying is right nowNylander is the better player and he drives the line he is on… I reference his stats and you say it could be a blip…sure but your counter point is Marner has been consistently a point a game player….fair point…BUT I have never seen Marner at this point statistically..Nylander is dominating games..
In a nutshell if Marner cant produce at the same pace as Nylander next year- should get less?
Marner makes others better? Yet JT is a 80 point player even before he came to TO. He makes players better but he isnt turning Dave Semenko into Jari Kurri …
good discussion- have a good one
Please trade Chabutt.
Please , please , please , please.
Please.
Dubas would be crazy to give Guentzel 10 million per .. Staios would be crazy to trade Tkachuk … but he should deal Chabot, he is turnover and injury prone. If I’m Treliving I do all I can to secure Marner long term. He can come to Pittsburgh anytime. Pitt and Vancouver might be a match for a big trade. But only if Van wobbles.
I still don’t understand why the Leafs even needed to do the Nylander signing during the season. Was any team seriously going to give him $12-13M per season on a 7 year deal? If yes, I’ll be some of whatever that GM is drinking please.
@brock – my guess is so they could know what they could acquire at the deadline and plan a little – you are right- there was no rush. If rumors were he wanted 10 in the summer were true- then they really gambled and lost.
Leafs could use Nylander this season, and trade him after their 1st round exit before his NMC on the new deal kicks in! He still has 22 teams he can be traded to before July 1.
Gents,
Regarding all the Nylander and Marner comments, I’d like to put my two cents in as well. While they play the same position, they’re actually very different players. Willy is in my view more talented than Marner and is the better player when he cares to be. Marner, on the other hand has a much better hockey IQ than Nylander, is better defensively and I think most importantly, cares more than Willy. Like a lot of leaf fans, I am concerned about how Willie produces now that he has his contract, I don’t see him all that motivated to get better. Fortunately time will tell.
Marner cares so much he’ll give the Leafs the discount of taking $1 less than Matthews.
Another lined up for “money bags syndrome “
Nylander will definitely have a set back next season and not continue with current trajectory .
Silverseven, many many players regress after a big pay day, but there are cases (Zach Hyman) where they mature late….
and trust when not if Nylander regresses he will get crucified by Leaf fans while others seem to do no wrong regardless how much they make
What’s money bags syndrome and how do I catch it?