After months of negotiations, the William Nylander-Toronto Maple Leafs contract impasse is finally over.
Saturday afternoon, the Maple Leafs announced that Nylander, a restricted free agent, agreed to a six-year contract extension.
The @MapleLeafs have agreed to terms on a six-year contract extension with forward William Nylander, subject to League approval. #LeafsForever
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) December 1, 2018
According to insiders Bob McKenzie and Elliotte Friedman, Nylander will make a very nice $6.9 million a year. The contract is worth $41.4 million overall.
6 x $6.9M for Nylander
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) December 1, 2018
It is convoluted because of cap, but I'm told 6.9 is the key number
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) December 1, 2018
The salary structure breaks down like this.
William Nylander contract breakdown:
$10M salary, $2M SB
$700,000 salary, $8.3M SB
$2.5M salary, $3.5M SB
$2.5M salary, $3.5M SB
$2.5M salary, $3.5M SB
$2.5M salary, $3.5M SBYear 1 AAV: $10.21M
Year 2-6 AAV: $6.97M— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) December 1, 2018
“In my heart and in my mind, I think he’s going to be on this team,” Leafs coach Mike Babcock said Friday according to Sportsnet. “That’s how I’ve got to think.”
He ended up being correct.
The contract was filed at 4:55 pm – five minutes before an NHL deadline passed where Nylander would be ineligible to play this season.
The Nylander extension was filed at 4:55 p.m. ET. #NylanderWatch
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) December 1, 2018
“I don’t know if you guys think we’re tracking your tweets, but we’re not,” defenseman Morgan Rielly. “He’s a good player. What else can I say?
“At this point, there’s nothing we can do. If he signs, he signs. If not, we move on.”
The 22-year-old Nylander is one of the best young players in the game. He’s had 61 points the last two seasons. He’s the son of former Capital Michael Nylander, who also serves as his agent.
What a return 😎 pic.twitter.com/TOLsL82td7
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 1, 2018
Headline photo: Claus Andersen
