Mike Augello: Leafs prepared for long impasse with Nylander - Game 3 vs. Sabres

Blurst

This is REALLY a stupid move by Nylander. I have no idea what he is thinking. He gets to play 1st line with Matthews on a contender.
As time goes on the idea of a trade to upgrade the D will start to become more realistic.

suck it Garnie

This is REALLY a stupid move by Nylander. I have no idea what he is thinking. He gets to play 1st line with Matthews on a contender.
As time goes on the idea of a trade to upgrade the D will start to become more realistic.

It's curious. How much more money does he realistically think he's going to receive by playing hard ball?

Is he hoping the leafs have a slow start to the season, and thus have pressure to sign him? He's really only hurting himself, the Leafs have all the leverage.

It's curious. How much more money does he realistically think he's going to receive by playing hard ball?

Is he hoping the leafs have a slow start to the season, and thus have pressure to sign him? He's really only hurting himself, the Leafs have all the leverage.
- david22

if he is looking long term deal....every dollar counts....it's multiplied by 7 or 8 years

if he is looking long term deal....every dollar counts....it's multiplied by 7 or 8 years
- Symba007

Perhaps if he was a UFA, but I think he's overplaying his hand here.

Like Salming wanting to talk to him.

Think the agent and his dad are really the ones keeping him out demanding this big overpayment.

At some point you have to wonder if Dubas doesnt start contemplating a trade, especially if he starts feeling this could be a pattern with him. Short term then back to this again?!

Perhaps if he was a UFA, but I think he's overplaying his hand here.
- david22

Well he's most likely not getting less by holding out either.

I still think he gets around 7M on a long term deal.

If he still is not signed when the season starts and a guy like Johnsson takes his spot and looks great, he is up s*it's creek.
Leafs have 3 young wingers who are not getting the TOI they should and would kill for a spot with Matthews.
It may be a holdout but Willy is worth a lot in a trade.
Nylander could play 0 games this year and there's no chance this team is missing the playoffs.

You're looking at it from a fan's perspective. Nylander is an elite player and deserves a strong contract. These guys put their bodies through hell. Throw in concussion issues and you just never know how long a career you'll have. So I understand the need to play hardball. In the end, it'll come down to how much he wants to play in Toronto. And given he's from the west, I'm guessing it's not that big a deal.

A 22 year old with back to back 60 point seasons, pay the man. What is Dubas gonna play hard ball with Marner and Matthews too?

Not a nylander fan per se, but i don't think there is anything out of the ordinary going on here. It is obvious the agent wants to maximise contract for nylander - that's his duty.
Only bad move Willy has made is to go with an agent who tends to drag on contract negotiations till bitter end.
Not sure if Lindholm has the same agent, but if I remember well, he didnt sign until November last year (?)

If Nylander is not signing before end of September, I could see Babcock scratching him first few games after signing since he did not attend the whole team camp. And Babcock is probably right to do so.


What would be great to see from Marner and Matthews though would be 8y contract extensions on good deals (for both sides) a day or two before the season starts.

You're looking at it from a fan's perspective. Nylander is an elite player and deserves a strong contract. These guys put their bodies through hell. Throw in concussion issues and you just never know how long a career you'll have. So I understand the need to play hardball. In the end, it'll come down to how much he wants to play in Toronto. And given he's from the west, I'm guessing it's not that big a deal.
- hawkeytown

But why should he get more than guys like Larkin or Pastyrnak? I am looking at the salaries of comparables and think he's not being realistic.

A 22 year old with back to back 60 point seasons, pay the man. What is Dubas gonna play hard ball with Marner and Matthews too?
- ClaudeFather

So just hand over 8 million to him? Other teams are not doing that, why should the Leafs?

The leafs have an easy first 3-4 games in the schedule.

He’s only hurting himself...but also it’s the only leverage he has and he’s obviously determined to use it.

These things always go in the teams favour....not everyone likes to cave like PC did the first day Dri and McDavid were available to be signed.

But why should he get more than guys like Larkin or Pastyrnak? I am looking at the salaries of comparables and think he's not being realistic.
- RogerRoeper

It's probably because his agent is comparing him to Leon Draisaitl, who makes $8.5M

But why should he get more than guys like Larkin or Pastyrnak? I am looking at the salaries of comparables and think he's not being realistic.
- RogerRoeper

8M does seem like an overpayment.

7M though? It's basically Pastrnak + inflation.

A 22 year old with back to back 60 point seasons, pay the man. What is Dubas gonna play hard ball with Marner and Matthews too?
- ClaudeFather

This is a stupid comment.

If Dubas just gives whatever Nylander wants then the same will be for Marner and Matthews.

The Nylander signing sets the stage for Marner and Matthews...if Dubas goes into 5-10 games in the season than it shows he will do it to play hardball.

It sends a message.

8M does seem like an overpayment.

7M though? It's basically Pastrnak + inflation.
- Scabeh

He wants a good deal for the team

Sure he can get an average contract and sign today...but then he has to do the same for Matthews and Marner.

He’s playing hardball will Nylander so he can get The others on cheaper contracts.

It's probably because his agent is comparing him to Leon Draisaitl, who makes $8.5M
- PatC80

Which is stupid of the agent. Draisaitl is the outlier, not the comparable.

Forsberg, Ehlers, and Pasternak are the comparables.

But why should he get more than guys like Larkin or Pastyrnak? I am looking at the salaries of comparables and think he's not being realistic.
- RogerRoeper

I hear you. But that shouldn't prevent a player from negotiating the best deal possible so long as you're prepared for the consequences of being traded.

This is a stupid comment.

If Dubas just gives whatever Nylander wants then the same will be for Marner and Matthews.

The Nylander signing sets the stage for Marner and Matthews...if Dubas goes into 5-10 games in the season than it shows he will do it to play hardball.

It sends a message.
- Santo_44

It's probably because his agent is comparing him to Leon Draisaitl, who makes $8.5M
- PatC80

That's because he has 2 70+ point seasons.

veteran Tyler Ennis can move up in the lineup on a temporary basis.

I mean it's true in the sense that it's a thing that can happen