Maple Leafs and Nylander camp haven’t seriously considered a bridge deal
Sportsnet: Toronto Maple Leafs William Nylander said earlier this week that he has to “take care of myself” and go with what his agent thinks is right after Leafs president Brendan Shanahan comments that may have questioned Nylander’s desire to play for the Maple Leafs. Both sides have dug in.
“Nylander’s certainly holding firm on his demands on a long-term deal,” said Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos during Saturday Headlines. “Many people believe that the answer to this is a bridge deal, but I can tell you that it hasn’t been seriously contemplated at all to the point where they aren’t even discussing anything on a three, four, five-year deal.”
Chris Johnston added that there is still a big gap in terms of what each is looking to get a deal done at.
“We’re still waiting to see what that salary is, and it’s a huge gap that the sides are looking at,” said Johnston. “The Nylander camp started with Leon Draisaitl’s $8.5 million a year salary and I don’t think they’ve gone much below that in the subsequent conversations.
“It sounds like the Leafs are still focused on something in the sixes. You have Nikolaj Ehlers who makes $6 million a year, up to David Pastrnak who’s making $6.67 million, they see him fitting in that range and that leaves, what, a million and a half dollars? Nick, you say the Nylander camp isn’t bending, I don’t see any reason to believe the Leafs will, .”
Could Matthews be willing to sign an extension in-season?
Sportsnet: Both Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner will be restricted free agents after the season. Chris Johnston reports that one of Matthews or Marner is willing to sign an extension during the season.
“There were discussions throughout the summer with both Auston Matthews’ camp Mitch Marner’s camp with their extensions. They could’ve done that July 1, but some of those discussions are off,” Johnston said. “Mitch Marner and his camp have called a moratorium on talks throughout the season. They don’t want to see that distraction.
“I get the sense that Auston Matthews would be willing to work on his extension throughout this season.”