This Forward's Time In Toronto Has Reportedly Come To An End

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Austin Sabourin
August 24, 2023 (10:20 PM)

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Brad Treliving's quest to secure Auston Matthews and William Nylander's signatures has stretched beyond expectations, leaving these two UFAs as the last to be addressed.

Matthews and Nylander stand as consistent contributors, firmly established as essential assets to the Maple Leafs' success.

Given the team's financial limitations alongside the influx of new additions during the off-season, Nylander's willingness to accept a team-friendly deal for the sake of victory might be in question.

Jay Rosehill and Nick Algebra weighed in on the matter:

"I suspect Matthews' contract is likely locked in already. It's reminiscent of the Nathan McKinnon situation from last year. While not officially announced on July 1, everyone anticipated his re-signing, especially after clinching the Stanley Cup with Denver. Confirmation came during training camp. In the same vein, I anticipate Matthews to pen his extension as this year's training camp kicks off. Regarding Nylander, given his history and his father's stance, he's shown a propensity to negotiate up until the eleventh hour."

"Currently, there's scant information on both Nylander and Matthews. When can we anticipate updates? Possibly come September? Honestly, it's hard to predict. With these two players, it hinges on the team's strategic stance. They have an array of signings to navigate, some earning more than they might be worth, while others merit higher compensation. The salary cap looms large. How the pieces fall together remains an enigma. My intuition leans toward a potential Nylander departure, dishearteningly, as he's a player I'd prefer to see retained. His claim to a heftier paycheck is warranted due to his value."

With a summer transaction potentially pushing Matthews' contract closer to closure, Nylander's future with the team might be uncertain.

Nylander's case for a larger cap share aligns with his on-ice contributions, yet the debate lingers: is prioritizing personal gain over team aspirations a selfish move?

Via oilersdaily