Insider Drops A Massive Update On William Nylander

PUBLICATION

Graham Montgomery
October 17, 2023 (4:21 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

When the Leafs lost in the second round of the playoffs last year Kyle Dubas made many fans nervous after he hinted that one of the team's 'core-four' players might be moved. The hockey world moves quickly though and since then Dubas has been fired, signed by another team, and Auston Matthews was re-signed. Now the Leafs are focusing on securing Nylander long term.

Johnston Gives Update On Nylander

It seems as though Leafs fans should not worry too much about upcoming UFA William Nylander as the team is making a concerted effort to keep the Swedish star in Toronto. As of right now, it seems that Nylander signing an extension at some point is, by far, the most likely outcome for him. NHL insider Chris Johnston tells us that the reunion is very likely.

"I don't think there's any reason to think Nylander won't sign an extension in Toronto. Here's the dirty secret of that negotiation in my opinion: The Leafs know he doesn't want to play anywhere else... What the Leafs could pay him over 8 years and what another team if he leaves on July 1st as a free agent can pay him is not really that different... I'm willing to say I would put it at least 90% odds Nylander is a Leaf next season"

Nylander is off to a hot start this year with three goals and three assists through Toronto's first three games. The Leafs will have approximately 33 million in cap space at the end of the year with 11 players signed for next season. We will see if they can find away to sign 12 players, including Nylander, with that much cap space to work with.