Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – January 7, 2024
The latest on William Nylander’s contract negotiations, the Flames and Noah Hanifin could be renewing talks, plus updates on the Senators and Ducks in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.
NYLANDER DEAL COMING THIS WEEK?
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman the Toronto Maple Leafs and William Nylander are closing in on an eight-year contract extension with an expected average annual value of $11.5 million. The deal could be officially announced as early as Monday.
Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: There have been reports from Friedman and his colleague Nick Kypreos since last week that the two sides were working on a lucrative long-term extension. It was believed the aim was to get the deal done before the All-Star weekend from Feb. 1 to 3 in Toronto.
So what do you think, folks? Are the Leafs overpaying for Nylander or is this the right amount? Feel free to weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section below.
FLAMES AND HANIFIN STILL TALKING CONTRACT
Friedman believes the Calgary Flames and defenseman Noah Hanifin have renewed contract negotiations after they were ended earlier in the season. He didn’t think there was any chance of the two sides picking up those discussions. However, Friedman doesn’t think it’s out of the question that the two sides could reach a deal but wouldn’t put any odds on it.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Two days ago, Friedman’s colleague Eric Francis suggested Hanifin as the one player of their pending UFAs (the others being Elias Lindholm, Chris Tanev and Dan Vladar) worth retaining.
Francis pointed out that Hanifin still wants to stay in Calgary, he’s only 26 and it would make sense to re-sign a reliable No. 3 defenseman. He also noted the two sides were close to agreeing to an eight-year extension worth $7.5 million annually until the club’s slow start brought those talks to a halt.
Hanifin will draw plenty of interest if he becomes available leading up to the March 8 trade deadline. He could fetch the Flames a solid return of futures if they opt to rebuild. Whether it comes down to that could depend on their performance over the next two months.
SENATORS CALLING AROUND FOR HELP
Friedman reports Ottawa Senators management has been calling around letting other clubs know they’re willing to try some things. They’re unwilling to move their young core players but they’re in the market for what Friedman called professional players, those who know how to play properly and take good care of themselves.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch has reported since last week that Senators general manager Steve Staios is seeking a veteran for their third line who can help alternate captain Claude Giroux work with their young players.
Garrioch cited a league executive saying it’s difficult to find those types of players right now because most are on expiring contracts and the trade deadline is still two months away. Like Friedman, Garrioch also reports that Staios hasn’t yet reached the stage where he’d consider moving one or two of his young core players.
There are rumors the Senators are shopping pending UFA Dominik Kubalik. However, there isn’t much of a market for the struggling winger.
CAN THE DUCKS LAND A SCORING STAR THIS SUMMER?
THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens recently suggested the Anaheim Ducks could use a player such as William Nylander to take the eventual step out of their rebuilding process.
Stephens noted that the Ducks have the salary cap space to spend this summer and they need to add a pure sniper such as Nylander. With the Leafs winger likely to be off the market soon, there aren’t many decent free-agent alternatives.
Florida’s Sam Reinhart isn’t in the same class as Nylander. Jake Guentzel could re-sign with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos is 34 and appears to be on a slow fade.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stephens acknowledged that any chance of the Ducks landing Nylander was “pure fantasy”. He’s not wrong about what they’ll need to take the next step in their development but it doesn’t look like they’ll find it via this summer’s free-agent market.
Is Francis sure that Hanifan wants to stay in Calgary? I m not so sure! One big contract and being stuck in the transitional stage in Calgary is a big decision!
At this point, the Leafs have no choice but to re-sign Nylander, whatever the cost. Their time is obviously now. They would not be able to adequately replace him and will certainly not trade him in- season. They certainly can’t lose him for nothing to free agency.
Of course, that’ll once again leave them in a situation where four guys are taking up over half the cap space, leaving no room to shore up the defense or goaltending as well as the supporting cast. I would imagine that when Tavares’s contract expires next year, he’ll have to take a pay cut to stay. That won’t sit well with him so he may have to be the odd man out.
Trade Willy for a top D and a use the rest of the cap room to put a goalie between the pipes. Then the Leafs might actually be a threat, or give Willy $11.5m and have 60% + in 5 players and get trounced in the playoffs year in year out.
Totally agree. Leafs don’t need another disaster contract like Tavares. Nylander will be 36 when contact expires. I can’t imagine him playing this well in 4-5 years. Leafs need better defencemen and then start playing hockey like Bruins team. Bruins play a good team defence and score just enough goals to win. If Leafs sign Nylander at 11.5 for 8 years it will be another 8 years before leafs maybe get Another second round playoff chance.
Damned if you do, damned if you dont. Sign him, don’t sign him. Regardless people will bich either way.
i think its going to be a big mistake because this team is not good enough to win anything as it stands and by acquiring a player or two is not going to make much of a difference, its time to move him while you can and his value is at its highest this team needs one D or two just to start……….
Nylander is probably worth the money, but is he worth the money to the Leafs?
When one considers that between Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Tavares and Morgan Reilly the Leafs will have $54.15M dollars tied up in 5 players.
Just shy of $11 million apiece for 5 players.
With a salary cap in the vicinity of $87M next season that only leaves roughly $33M to sign 18 players to complete a 23 man roster.
And this does not account for the fact that Marner will be looking for a minimum raise of $1 – $1.5M this summer.
It just doesn’t seem to be the way to build a championship caliber team.
The only saving grace is that next season is the final year of Tavares’s contract after which he will be resigned (I imagine) for less than half his current salary.
I’m a Nylander fan, I feel he is truly coming into his own and did it on his own , proven doesn’t need to be playing with Matthews to get his offense. That said , deal only makes sense if they are giving Marner the same deal, cannot pay him more. I would let Marner walk and allocate money elsewhere but just don’t see it happening .
That being said , I will get flack for saying this but I don’t think Marner is signed until they know McDavid is resigning in Edmonton . And no I don’t think he wants to come to Toronto BUT have to have space available if the best player in the league becomes available
While they not always linemates you can’t say he did it on his own. If the other teams best d efforts are iced against the mathews line then wn isn’t facing as tough the competition. How much difference does that make?🤷♂️. Tough to say.
I agree that Marner should not be resigned for much more money than Nylander.
I was thinking $12M tops.
If he isn’t satisfied with that and doesn’t want to be a “Leafs For Life” then so be it.
Marner has a NTC giving him all of the leverage but if he isn’t interested in resigning for $11.5 – $12 this summer then talk to him and his agent to see if there are any teams he would like/agree to be traded to?
He might well say no but on the other hand he might agree (so he won’t be universally hated in Toronto, his home town) giving the Leafs the small possibility of acquiring an asset for him.
Re; the Leafs & Cap Space🍁
John Tavares has 1.5years left on his Big $11.M
Contract.
He is Slowing Down at 33 yrs old he will be 35 when he is a UFA in 2025 maybe they bring him back for a year at $3.M as a 3rd line player the Leafs have some good young talent coming up that will fill the Top 6.
I would Not pay Marrner more the Willie.
PS
I dont see McDavid going back to Toronto..
he has the good life in Edmonton walks his dog and nobody bothers him here & he has the run of the city and all his buddy’s are on the team.
Could the Leafs afford to have $13.5M Mathews and a Connor McDavid… $14.5M on the same team…
it would be Cap Hell all over again in Toronto…
❗️🙈😂
I am hearing a lot of Marner /McDavid scenario
Might be a good fit
Marner is not Trelivings type of player
Besides, something has to give as per the core 4/5
As per Tavares – He has a passion playing in Toronto and will not dispute a large pay cut ..
Nylander Will of course soon be signed – Treliving can go onto plan B and move Marner, than go and obtain a defense pairing for Morgan Reilly
I could be wrong ?
Cap space?
Cap Space … moving Marner will create cap space !
No, Ken. Where will the Oilers get the cap space to acquire Nylander?
Hey Lyle! Just a note that Vladar still has 1 more year after this at 2.2mill per, he isnt a pending UFA.
Nylander should hang on and not sign with the Leafs.
He’d make a fine Bruin.
As per Nylander once again ..
I.e. Pengy on this topic , whomever – Lyle ?
By the way , where did Pengy go
George – I left my note , on just a “fantastic” world of knowledge guy – but a late day reply, as per his leave
There. are many knowledgeable people on here …
Dodgers pulled off signing Ohtani miracle , and putting only 2 million against the cap each year , with a large lump sum in the end , as we all know – Ohtani signed for “70mil per”
Can Leaf’s not be creative and arrange a similar arrangement , Leaf’s can than go on and fill out their lineup to contending status ??
Nhl doesn’t allow for that type of creative arrangement
@Shoreorrpark
Bruins can sign Lindholm in the off season
Consolation prize !
The Bruins aren’t getting Lindholm. Give it a rest.
@Chrisms
Thankyou for your closure on the topic
I wasn’t sure…
Now I know ; therefore , Marner has to go !
I believe Marner, Tavares and Driasitl are UFAs in the same year….
I think TOR can count on playing hardball with Tavares’s next contract, though he is likely willing to take a big haircut to remain a Leaf. With Minton, Cowan and a young goalie ready to fight for #2 spot next year, they should likely be able to absorb Willie “Styles” and Mitch Marner getting the same pay next season.
Expect Gio to retire and Reaves to be traded at the draft for a 7th.
Robertson has good value right now, and I suspect he and a fringe dman get dealt along with a pick for a number 3 or 4 dman who has size, snarl and potential.
The Leafs made a big mistake in not signing Nylander earlier in the game for less money that he commands now. Penny wise and pound foolish. Nevertheless, he is willing to sign for a full eight years, which is more than I can say about Matthews and Marner. Over the course of the eight years, it will still look like a bargain.
Nylander for 11 million? Hard pass. His rink has no corners… and all it takes to neutralize him in the playoffs is to get physical.
When’s the last time you’ve seen him go into a corner at full speed knowing he’s going to get hit? Doesn’t happen.
But, I hope Toronto does sign him for 11 million-plus. LOL.
Bruins don’t need Lindholm obviously they are tied for first without him. Especially if Lindholm wants 9.5 in my opinion that’s a hard pass.