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William Nylander had a very successful rookie season and is looking to put up big numbers in the final year of his entry-level deal, which is why the Toronto Maple Leafs are being proactive and have started preliminary contract talks with Nylander’s representatives.
“(My agent and the Leafs) have talked a little bit, but we’ll see what happens.… Nylander said at the MasterCard Centre on Thursday.
The Leafs 2014 top pick had 61 points (22 goals, 39 assists) in his first full NHL season, in spite of being moved up and down the lineup early on by head coach Mike Babcock. Nylander was more consistent in the second half and was rewarded by playing with Calder Trophy winner Auston Matthews.
#Leafs goalie Frederik Andersen patrols the crease in a scrimmage at the MasterCard Centre on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/2g8ytW3Tnl
— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) September 7, 2017
The 21-year-old could put himself in a favorable negotiating position and Toronto in a precarious one with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner also eligible for new deals. If Nylander puts up big numbers this season, it conceivably could put the two sides on a course that Boston and RFA forward David Pastrnak are currently on.
Nylander is trying to put the contract discussion to the side and looking to concentrate on the task in front of him. “I’m just focused on the (upcoming)season right now, just want to get ready and be prepared for when the season starts.…
The value of getting Nylander signed prior to the completion of his ELC for GM Lou Lamoriello is to give him a reasonable payday but not having two straight good offensive years on a resume to demand a higher salary.
Center Alexander Wennberg signed a new six-year, $29.4 Million contract with Columbus last week and that deal might be used as a comparative by the Leafs to get Nylander signed without breaking the bank.
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The Maple Leafs announced the addition of Stéphane Robidas and Jack Han to their Player Development staff on Thursday. Robidas (who played over 900 NHL games during his 15-year career) was named the club’s Assistant Director of Player Development. Han (who was named the club’s Player Development analyst) served as the Video & Analytics coordinator for the McGill Martlets women's hockey team and worked in digital media for the Montreal Canadiens and the ATP World Tour.
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