December 28, 2023 | 5:27pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

LEAFS, NYLANDER TO ESCALATE CONTRACT TALKS?

William Nylander, forward

Contract negotiations between the Toronto Maple Leafs and star winger William Nylander are expected to pick up some steam in the New Year.

Nylander, who is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, is performing at a career pace, currently sitting tied for fourth in the NHL scoring race with 46 points through 32 games.

In the off-season, Nylander’s camp was looking at an eight-year extension worth around or over $10 million per season, while the Maple Leafs were reportedly eyeing a deal under $9 million annually. Given Nylander’s performance thus far, it is unlikely to see him sign a deal under an annual average value of $10 million.

While Leafs GM Brad Treliving and Nylander’s agent Lewis Gross remain in good standing and with an open line of communication, contract negotiations should escalate in the coming weeks.

During his Wednesday appearance on “NHL Tonight” on NHL Network, TFP’s David Pagnotta reported discussions should heighten in January.

“There has been an open dialogue between the Leafs and his camp, but at no point has anything been derailed,” Pagnotta said. “They’ve also been keeping things very, very close to the vest. They’re going to escalate conversations and talks into the New Year. Once the calendar flips over in a few days to 2024, negotiations, from what I’ve been told, between the Leafs and Willie’s camp are going to start to pick up a little bit.”

Pagnotta reiterated Nylander’s position and with the salary cap going up next season, it should give Toronto some wiggle room to make another big contract fit under their cap.

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“Both sides want a long-term deal, you’re probably looking at an eight-year extension,” he said. “It is just a matter of the Leafs being comfortable with a $10 million-plus player, another one, on the roster.”

There do not appear to be any deadlines in place as of now and as Nylander continues to focus on playing, his agent and the Leafs management brass will tactically keep their negotiations tight-lipped until a deal can be reached.

According to CapFriendly, the Maple Leafs have slightly over $33.4 million in cap space for the 2024-25 season.