Maple Leafs and Nylander closing the gap on a new deal
Dave McCarthy: Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock on possibly getting Auston Matthews and William Nylander back later this week: “It’s my assumption we’re getting both back. Obviously, we’ll be a better hockey club when we have them both, they give you a whole other line and much more depth.”
Sportsnet: Chris Johnston on Sportsnet’s Headlines last night said that the Toronto Maple Leafs and William Nylander’s camp still have a long-term deal on the table and that they could be “close” to making a deal.
“It’s interesting that a six-year deal, even at this late stage with next Saturday’s deadline looming, remains a term that is possible for this deal,” Johnston said during the Headlines segment of Hockey Night in Canada Saturday. “It doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be a six-year deal, but that conversation is going.
“I believe that the Nylander side would accept something around $6.9 million — maybe a little bit above, a shave below seven. They have not yet got to that point but they are believed to be rather close.”
Elliotte Friedman continued that he believes they are within $500,000 of each other.
Mark Zwolinski of the Toronto Star: There is the sense that the Maple Leafs and Nylander’s side have made some progress of late.
There are some reports that the Maple Leafs could willing to go up to $7 million on a long-term deal with Nylander looking for $8 million.
If it’s doesn’t look like a deal is going to get done, the Maple Leafs could look to move him. With three pending free agents on the blueline, they could be looking at defensemen.
Teams that could be interested and potential targets.
Carolina Hurricanes – Jaccob Slavin is too much to give up for the Hurricanes. They also have Brett Pesce, Justin Faulk and Dougie Hamilton.
Anaheim Ducks – Brandon Montour could be a fit for the Leafs.
Minnesota Wild – Matt Dumba has been linked but can’t see the Wild paying Nylander more than $7 million a season with them need to re-sign Eric Staal and Mikael Granlund.
Philadelphia Flyers – May not want to give up Shayne Gostisbehere.