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The Toronto Maple Leafs were rained out at their annual charity golf tournament on Monday, but while most of the club still attended the luncheon and spoke to the media, William Nylander was conspicuous by his absence.
The 22-year-old winger is one of nine restricted free agents in the league unsigned; a list that includes forwards Miles Wood (NJ), Sam Reinhart (BUF) and Nick Ritchie (ANA), and defensemen Darnell Nurse (EDM), Shea Theodore (VEG) and Josh Morrissey (WPG).
There has been little chatter regarding how far apart Nylander and the Leafs are on a contract, but new Leafs center John Tavares expressed some confidence that the talented forward would be back with his teammates soon.
“(Nylander) a big part of the team, a big part of the future. It’s been kind of proven in the past with a few other players around the league, sometimes it seems to come down to the wire a little bit.… Tavares said. “We believe we’re going have Willy here to start camp (or) whatever happens, to start the season. I got to see him in July and skate with him and he was really excited about things ahead and being part of this group. Hopefully, it gets done soon.…
While the Leafs ideally want to get Nylander signed and into camp on time, it is more important for GM Kyle Dubas to hold the line and remain patient to get him signed to an amount favorable to the club.
The boys are in the building to support @MLSEFoundation at today's annual Leafs & Legends Charity Golf Classic presented by @scotiabank. pic.twitter.com/VPb3qJcyJ0
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) September 10, 2018
The trend was set by Tavares (who took $2 Million per season less than the offer made by San Jose to sign with Toronto) and Dubas is looking to do the same with Nylander, with the outcome likely having an affect on future negotiations with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.
If the impasse lasts deep into training camp, the fallback position for both sides would be a bridge deal. That would allow the Leafs to keep Nylander in place at a lower figure for two-to-three years, while getting Matthews and Marner locked up on extensions.
The salary range on a two-year bridge deal would likely be anywhere from $4 to $4.5 Million, with Toronto still having control over Nylander for two seasons (with arbitration) before he qualifies for unrestricted free agency.
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