A bridge deal or trade for Nylander
Chris Johnston of Sportsnet: It not looking like there will be a long-term contract for William Nylander and the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Maple Leafs and Nylander can’t find a number that fits for both sides on a six- to eight-year deal.
There is nothing to suggest that Nylander is wanting to not sign before the December 1st deadline and sit out the entire NHL season.
If Nylander were to sign with a SHL team he’d make about $40,000 a month and there wouldn’t be an out clause. He could likely get more money from a KHL team.
The Maple Leafs haven’t seriously looked at the trade market for Nylander and still believe that he wants to be with the team.
Nylander will either sign a bridge contract or be dealt.
Scouting the Maple Leafs
Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun: There were five teams that had two scouts each at the Maple Leafs-Penguins game on Thursday – Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning, and the St. Louis Blues (played the Leafs on Saturday).
The Hurricanes have been long speculated as a potential trading partner as they are deep on the blueline, with Justin Faulk‘s name being mentioned.
The Nashville Predators have been brought up lately as a team that may need some help up front. They have defensemen Mattias Ekholm or Ryan Ellis.
Jared Spurgeon of the Minnesota Wild is a right-handed defenseman and is under contract for another two years at $5.1 million per. He is on the smaller side though.
Michael Augello: Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas was in New York to watch the Rangers-Flames game. It may not mean anything, but the Rangers did send two scouts to watch the Leafs last Thursday.
Future cap crunch
Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star: Kasperi Kapanen will be a restricted free agent after the season and if he continues to play with Auston Matthews and puts up decent numbers, he could be looking at a big raise, which could complicate the Leafs salary situation even more.
Defenseman Jake Gardiner is a pending unrestricted free agent and the Leafs may have to let him go.
The Leafs could create cap room by trading Patrick Marleau, but Marleau carries a $6.25 million salary cap hit next season, has a no-movement clause, and may not be interested in playing elsewhere.