Maple Leafs Sign William Nylander To Eight-Year Extension
The Toronto Maple Leafs have made it official, signing William Nylander to an eight-year, $92 million contract extension. The average annual value is $11.5 million. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports the deal also contains a full no-movement clause throughout the deal.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cap Friendly indicates $69 million of the $92 million will be paid out in signing bonuses.
Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (NHL Images).
No surprise there. Friedman and his colleague Nick Kypreos first reported last week that the Leafs and Nylander were closing in on this deal, which was expected to be done by today.
Nylander has earned this contract. He was underpaid on his current deal ($6.92 million annually) while his performance steadily improved. He reached 80 points in 2021-22 followed by a career-high of 40 goals and 87 points last season.
With 54 points in 37 games, Nylander is on pace for over 115 points this season. As of today, he leads the Leafs in points and is sixth among the league leaders. The 27-year-old winger has established himself as an elite scoring forward and should be paid as such.
Nylander’s critics believe his performance will tail off now that he’s inked his big-money contract. That’s a possibility I consider unlikely based on his play over the past three seasons. He’s in his playing prime now and will remain among the Leafs’ best players going forward.
The Leafs had a projected $32.5 million in cap space for next season with 11 active players under contract before Nylander’s signing. This deal will leave them with around $21 million to invest in filling out the remainder of their roster.
With the salary cap rising to around $87.5 million for next season, the Leafs felt comfortable in signing Nylander to such an expensive extension. They can afford it but it could complicate efforts to re-sign or replace pending UFAs like Tyler Bertuzzi, Max Domi, TJ Brodie and Mark Giordano, as well as restricted free agents like Timothy Liljegren.
With Nylander under contract, the focus shifts toward Mitch Marner. He has a year remaining on his contract with an AAV of $10.9 million and is eligible for UFA status in July 2025.
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.
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.
Check out the latest on the Senators and the Blackhawks in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau recently looked at which two players the Ottawa Senators will likely shop leading up to the March 8 trade deadline.
Looking at the Senators’ record, Proteau believes they don’t have a chance at reaching the playoffs this season. General manager Steve Staios will have to decide which players to keep and which ones to send packing by the deadline.
Ottawa Senators winger Vladimir Tarasenko (NHL Images).
Winger Vladimir Tarasenko is their best trade asset. He’s on a one-year, $5 million contract and becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The 32-year-old winger currently has eight goals and 24 points in 32 games. Staios could move him for young players and draft picks.
Dominik Kubalik is another trade candidate. The 28-year-old winger is also slated to become a UFA this summer and has eight goals and 11 points in 34 games with a $2.5 million cap hit.
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Staios continues his search for veteran help before the trade deadline. He seeks a third-line forward who can help support alternate captain Claude Giroux by acting as a leader for their younger players.
Garrioch also indicated that Shane Pinto is expected to sign a one-year contract worth around $800K. There is speculation that Staois could be discussing a long-term extension with Pinto’s agent but it’s unlikely to be the case.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Barring a second-half performance for the ages, the Senators will not make the playoffs this season. Staios will be a seller at the trade deadline.
It will be surprising if Tarasenko and Kubalik aren’t moved by March. As for Pinto, Staios will likely evaluate his performance over the remainder of the schedule before getting into contract talks beyond this season.
Staios will also want a veteran leader or two with term remaining on their contracts. Whoever they bring in must be willing to be there and help to lead their younger players. Staios might have better luck finding those veterans via free agency this summer.
Hiring the right kind of coach will also be necessary for the Senators to make any real progress after this season. We know that Jacques Martin is only a stop-gap measure for the rest of this season. Whoever they hire as their full-time bench boss will have to keep Daniel Alfredsson on the coaching staff. With everything else going on, the new ownership must avoid repeating the mistakes of the past by alienating the popular Senators Hall-of-Famer.
THE ATHLETIC: Scott Powers dismissed recent speculation suggesting the Chicago Blackhawks could be looking to add big-name talent to their roster for next season. “If you were dreaming of someone like William Nylander, you’re going to be disappointed,” he writes.
Powers noted the Blackhawks will have plenty of salary cap space for 2024-25. “If someone wants to get paid more than market worth on a short-term deal, the Blackhawks would be happy to open their checkbook.” However, it’s unlikely to happen for long-term deals.
Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson isn’t likely to deviate from his current rebuilding plans until he has a better idea of the talent available in his prospect pipeline. He doesn’t want to pay a veteran for the next eight years with the money that will be needed to re-sign Connor Bedard and Kevin Korchinski when their contracts expire in 2026.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That will also puncture last week’s speculation suggesting Elias Pettersson will forsake the Vancouver Canucks to join the Blackhawks this summer.
Pettersson is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights playing on a team that is jockeying for first place in the standings, a team that will pay him handsomely to stay in Vancouver. He’s not going to stage a holdout to force the Canucks to trade him. The Blackhawks aren’t going to send him an offer sheet as it would probably be matched. Even if the Hawks successfully signed Pettersson away, they would owe the Canucks five first-round draft picks as compensation.
As Powers noted, the Blackhawks won’t be rebuilding forever. For now, Davidson isn’t going to change his current plans.
What’s the latest on William Nylander’s contract situation? Will the Devils pursue a goaltender? Could the Capitals become trade-deadline buyers? Which Ducks could hit the trade market? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE LATEST ON NYLANDER’S CONTRACT SITUATION
NHL NETWORK: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman believes the Toronto Maple Leafs and William Nylander’s representatives are working right now on a contract extension. He wouldn’t be surprised if this gets done soon and considers signing him their No. 1 priority.
Nylander declined to talk about the rumors regarding a contract extension following the Leafs’ 3-0 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday.
Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (NHL Images).
Nick Kypreos claimed they’re talking about an eight-year deal in the range of an $11.25 million average annual value. Friedman isn’t sure about that but doesn’t think his colleague is off by much (if at all) with his estimation.
Nylander is on pace for a career-high 117 points. Friedman believes he’s earned that potentially hefty raise.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some observers (like the Toronto Sun’s Steve Simmons) are concerned that the Leafs winger could be a “one-year wonder.” They fear he’ll come crashing back to earth once he’s signed a lucrative long-term deal.
I think what we’re seeing from Nylander is the real thing now that he’s in his playing prime. He has steadily improved over the past four seasons, including an 80-point campaign in 2021-22 and 87 points last season. He’s also been arguably their most consistent playoff performer.
ARE THE DEVILS IN THE HUNT FOR A GOALIE?
Elliotte Friedman talked about the difficulties facing the New Jersey Devils in upgrading their goaltending. He believes they’ve been looking for help but teams with goaltenders to trade hold the position of leverage.
Acquiring Gibson would mean getting the Ducks to retain part of the goalie’s $6.4 million average annual value through 2026-27 and that would be difficult to do. Markstrom would have to agree to waive his no-movement clause.
Merzlikins is available but he’s struggled at times and carries a $5.4 million AAV through 2026-27. Allen carries a more affordable $3.85 million through 2024-25 but no one as yet is willing to meet the Canadiens’ asking price.
Kakhonen is playing well this season and is slated for unrestricted free-agent status this summer. However, he’s never been in a position where he’s had to lead a team into the playoffs.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gibson and Markstrom are the only starters on this list with playoff experience. The former’s hefty contract and the latter’s NMC likely ensure they won’t be moved by the trade deadline.
Merzlikins only has two games of postseason experience under his belt. Allen has seen playoff action but he’s no longer a starter. Kahkonen has yet to play a postseason game.
Friedman also believes the Devils are looking for blueline depth. He could see them pursuing someone like Calgary Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: With defenseman Dougie Hamilton sidelined until possibly the end of the regular season, the Devils could put his $9 million AAV on long-term injury reserve if they wish to add a goalie, blueliner or both.
If the Devils pursue Hanifin, they have depth in tradeable assets (especially young players) that would interest the Flames. The two clubs also have a recent trade history with last June’s Tyler Toffoli deal.
WILL THE CAPITALS BECOME TRADE-DEADLINE BUYERS?
Friedman believes the Washington Capitals could become buyers at the trade deadline given their better-than-expected performance this season. However, it still thinks it’s early yet as they’ll likely wait and see how the season develops leading up to deadline day. If they do dabble in the trade market, they could pursue a top-six forward.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Capitals have to be mindful of their cap space. They placed Nicklas Backstrom on LTIR for the season but they currently have a projected $3.18 million in trade-deadline cap room.
WHICH DUCKS WILL HIT THE TRADE BLOCK?
Asked which players the Ducks will move at the trade deadline, Friedman considers Adam Henrique as the most likely option. A UFA at the end of this season, he’s a very good center with big-game experience who will draw interest in the trade market.
Are the Leafs and William Nylander close to a contract extension? Are the Leafs going to add a goaltender? What’s the latest on Bruins winger Jake DeBrusk? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
LEAFS AND NYLANDER CLOSING IN ON AN EXTENSION?
SPORTSNET: Nick Kypreos said he’s heard the Toronto Maple Leafs could be getting close to a contract extension with William Nylander. The 27-year-old winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (NHL Images).
Kypreos said the general feeling between the two sides is to get a deal done before the 2024 NHL All-Star weekend. The All-Star Game will be held on Saturday, Feb. 3.
The annual average value of Nylander’s new contract could be around $11.25 million for eight seasons on a front-loaded deal. It would be similar to that of Boston Bruins winger David Pastrnak.
Luke Fox cited Elliotte Friedman saying that the paperwork on a Nylander extension could be completed by this week. He echoed Kypreos’ claim that the Leafs would prefer to have this taken care of before the All-Star weekend.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The original asking price from the Nylander camp last summer was reportedly an AAV of over $10 million. However, his strong performance this season had more than a few observers (including yours truly) suggesting it could go higher.
With projected cap space of $32.5 million for 2024-25, the Leafs can afford to sign Nylander to that contract. It would leave around $20 million to re-sign or replace other pending UFAs like Tyler Bertuzzi, Max Domi, TJ Brodie, Mark Giordano and Martin Jones. They’ll also have restricted free agents like Timothy Liljegren and Noah Gregor to re-sign but they would be affordable to retain.
On the horizon will be a contract extension for Mitch Marner before 2025. At his current AAV of $10.9 million, he’ll likely seek more than whatever Nylander gets.
Captain John Tavares’ contract also expires in 2025. He’ll have to accept a substantial pay cut from his current $11 million AAV to stay in Toronto. Matthew Knies and Joseph Woll will be their notable RFAs in 2025.
LEAFS GM NOT HOPEFUL OF FINDING A GOALIE IN THE TRADE MARKET
THE ATHLETIC: Jonas Siegel wrote that Treliving isn’t ruling out pursuing another goalie with Ilya Samsonov currently in the minors and Joseph Woll uncertain to return from injury before the All-Star break. “We always look at everything,” he said.
Given the limited options currently in the trade market, Treliving may have little choice but to bet on what they’ve got. It’s hoped that Samsonov will regain his form with help from the Leafs goalie coach. For now, they’re allowing Samsonov time for a physical and mental reset. He won’t be playing or practicing with the Marlies for at least this week.
TORONTO STAR: Kevin McGran reports Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving doesn’t sound optimistic about finding a trade for a suitable goaltender. “I checked outside, the goaltender tree was empty,” said Treliving. “I couldn’t pick one off there. We’ll see with a little bit of sun, maybe they’ll grow a few more.”
SPORTSNET: During Monday’s “32 Thoughts” podcast, Elliotte Friedman reported the Leafs were offering up a late-round pick (like a sixth-rounder) in the goalie market. However, the clubs they spoke with prefer a better return like a prospect.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Martin Jones can hold the fort until Woll’s return or Samsonov regains his confidence (whichever comes first), the Leafs might dodge a bullet and come out of this still holding a playoff berth in the Atlantic Division. If Jones should struggle or become sidelined by an injury, they could be in big trouble by the end of this month. It could force Treliving into overpaying for help in the trade market.
LATEST ON DEBRUSK
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Mick Colageo wondered if push will come to shove for Bruins winger Jake DeBrusk by the March 8 trade deadline or on July 1 when he’ll be eligible for UFA status. The 27-year-old’s inconsistent performance during his career in Boston suggests an uncertain future with the Bruins.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Athletic’s Fluto Shinzawa last month pondered whether the Bruins would re-sign DeBrusk, trade him, or let him depart this summer as a free agent.
He considers trading the winger the least likely option unless they can make a hockey trade and land a player in return. Otherwise, they’d be trading him for futures that won’t help them this season. Shinzawa cited a league executive suggesting he’d fetch at best a second-round pick and a B-grade prospect.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see DeBrusk still on the Bruins’ roster following the March 8 trade deadline. Whether he sticks around beyond July 1 remains to be seen.
“Do not be surprised if you see Elias Pettersson try to make his way to the Chicago Blackhawks to be with (Connor) Bedard next year,” said Murley. He also claimed there was “a lot of talk about Nylander going to Chicago as well.”
Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (NHL Images).
Murley acknowledged Pettersson’s status next summer as a restricted free agent so he’s “not exactly sure” how that will work. However, he noted the Blackhawks will have a lot of salary-cap space.
SPORTSNET: During Friday’s “32 Thoughts” podcast, Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman discussed Murley’s rumor linking Pettersson to the Blackhawks.
Friedman didn’t discredit or denigrate Murley. “He’s not an idiot. He hears things. I’ve seen the stuff that he reports. He gets information. People talk to him,” he said.
However, Friedman called Murley’s report “premature”, adding that he believes the Canucks will throw a significant amount of cash toward re-sign Pettersson when he’s ready. He doubts that Pettersson is giving much thought to his contract status right now as he’s focused on playing this season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I have a few questions.
First, why would Pettersson want to leave a team that’s currently jockeying for first place in the overall standings for a rebuilding club that’s near the bottom of the standings? For that matter, why would Nylander leave a reliable playoff contender (albeit one with just a single playoff-round victory) to join a club that’s several years away from postseason contention?
During an Aug. 23 interview with Friedman, the Canucks star indicated he wasn’t sure if he wanted his next contract to be long or short-term. It’s also believed that he wanted to get a better sense of the Canucks’ direction after several losing seasons. In other words, he seemed reluctant to commit to a long-term deal if the Canucks failed to improve.
Nylander, meanwhile, has stated his wish is to remain with the Leafs. Unless his contract talks have reached a serious impasse, the intent on both sides is to get a deal done before his eligibility for unrestricted free agent status on July 1.
Second, why would Pettersson want to play with Bedard? The latter is a promising rookie who has no prior connection to the Canucks star. This isn’t like wanting to play with a more established superstar such as Edmonton’s Connor McDavid or Toronto’s Auston Matthews.
Third, why would the Blackhawks sign Pettersson and Nylander? Sure, they’ve got a whopping $52 million in projected cap space with just six players under contract for 2024-25.
They’ve got several restricted free agents such as Lukas Reichel and Taylor Raddysh but they won’t be expensive to sign. They must also re-sign or replace pending UFA goaltender Petr Mrazek, though that also won’t be costly to do.
The problem is Pettersson and Nylander could easily cost at least a combined $22 to $24 million to sign, taking a big chunk out of that cap space. That’s not troublesome for next season but having those two on the books could make it difficult to re-sign Bedard when their supposed crown jewel will be due for a new contract (with a whopping big raise) in 2026. It could also complicate other signings or make it difficult to improve the roster.
Adding Pettersson and Nylander would work for the Blackhawks if they already had a solid or promising supporting cast. However, they’re still in the middle of a major roster rebuild and still need depth at every position. A roster featuring Pettersson, Nylander and Bedard might be more entertaining but it will still lose more games than it wins until the roster depth issues are suitably addressed.
Why would the Blackhawks deviate from their rebuilding program in such a sudden and dramatic fashion? Wasn’t the game plan to build around Bedard with promising young players and affordable veterans with experience and leadership abilities? Why invest in two expensive superstars who’ll be on the downside of their careers when the Blackhawks are finally ready to become Stanley Cup contenders?
In short, Pettersson and Nylander to the Blackhawks makes no sense for the players or the team.
WHAT WILL THE LEAFS DO ABOUT THEIR GOALTENDING?
THE HOCKEY NEWS: David Alter believes the Toronto Maple Leafs could be running out of patience with struggling goaltender Ilya Samsonov. Before Friday’s 6-5 loss to the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets, head coach Sheldon Keefe expressed his belief that general manager Brad Treliving “is going to consider everything.”
With Joseph Woll sidelined until late January, the Leafs have been using the tandem of Samsonov and Martin Jones. The latter has been shouldering the load but it means they need to use Samsonov in back-to-back games.
Alter believes the Leafs don’t have many options. They could call up promising young goaltender Dennis Hildeby but he’s playing in North America for the first time and they want to avoid bringing him up too early.
THE ATHLETIC: Jonas Siegel has seen enough of Samsonov’s performance and believes the Leafs cannot play him any longer. He also acknowledged their reluctance to call up Hildeby but believes they have little choice, suggesting he wouldn’t need to play a lot. He also suggests that Treliving explore the trade and free-agent markets for short-term help.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Samsonov’s confidence is shot right now, Jones is an effective but aging backup while Hildeby has little North American hockey experience. With Woll’s return still a few weeks away, they’ll need to find a short-term fix between the pipes or risk sliding out of playoff contention.
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