Mirtle talking about the Toronto Maple Leafs heading into training camp and restricted free agent William Nylander
TSN 1050 Radio: James Mirtle was on TSN 1050 radio commenting on any potential Toronto Maple Leafs additions, their need on the blue line, and on restricted free agent forward William Nylander who still doesn’t have a contract for the upcoming season.
On if there could any Maple Leafs additions before the start of the season, Mirtle notes that things are quiet now but adds:
“I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a change on defense, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they bring in a depth centerman, because right now Par Lindholm is the only option they’ve got for the fourth line center spot. I think in an ideal world they would love to have someone come in and compete for that role and they could still use another player who could be that 13th/14th forward.
And we all know that the defense gets talked about a lot. So it wouldn’t surprise me if management has kicked tires on some potential moves. So we’ll see, there is no guarantee what the Maple Leafs have on paper is what you’ll see when training camp opens in a month.”
On if they brought in a defenseman, would it be a top pairing guy or a lower pairing guy?
“The problem with bringing in a top pair right shot D that they need is that A) there aren’t many available, and B) you’re going to have to give up something good to get that.
Do you want to trade one of the pieces that you’re really happy with, or, I mean … the one thing the Leafs could do if they can’t find a move to improve their defense before the season starts, is they can evaluate what they have in Travis Dermott, and maybe try to play someone like Justin Holl in NHL minutes more than the two games he got last year, and if you don’t like what you see in October, November, and December, then you can look to make your move before the trade deadline hits. You’re going to have plenty of time to incorporate that player into the lineup.”
On when William Nylander’s contract will get done.
“I think it will get done in early September, maybe a couple days before training camp. I mean, we see that with the RFAs are still quite a few that are unsigned right now that sometimes that training camp date acts as a pressure point on the two sides to come to a compromise.
I’m sure what is on the table what is being discussed with William Nylander is do we do a bridge deal or do we try to get some term? And if we get some term, can we mitigate how high that number is going to go?
So, I would think an eight-year deal and probably seven-year deal might be too expensive for the Leafs to pull off, so they may be looking at something like a six-year contract. You look at what Dylan Larkin got with Detroit. He got $6.1 million a year for five years and his numbers are weaker than William Nylander’s. That’s a pressure point right there for the Leafs, where it’s gonna force Nylander’s number up, so it’s going to be an interesting one.
I think you’re going to see a two-year deal or a six-year deal would be my prediction.”
** transcribed by MyNHLTradeRumors **