Maple Leafs sign William Nylander to eight-year, $92M contract extension

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced on Monday that they have extended the

contract of talented winger William Nylander for eight years and $92 million.

 

There is a complete no-movement clause in the contract, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

 

According to Friedman, the contract would pay out $27 million in the first two

years, and there will be bonuses totaling $69 million.

I’ve felt at home here. I have never, ever stayed in one location for this long in my entire life. Nylander told the reporters in

Toronto. It’s strange; the other day, without even thinking about it, I stated to

a friend, “and then we go home,” referring to Toronto.

 

“This is where I belong.”

Starting with the upcoming season, the deal has an average annual value of

$11.5 million, making it the biggest in Maple Leafs history in terms of overall value.

 

Following the announcement of the signing on Monday, Nylander was chosen to lead the stretch during practice.

The 27-year-old took a risk on himself this season, and it paid out handsomely

as he would have become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

With 54 points in 37 games, he ranks among the top 10 in the league in scoring

after starting the season with a 17-game point streak.

 

Nylander was questioned regarding the possibility of agreeing to a long-term

contract with the Maple Leafs following Saturday’s victory over the San Jose Sharks.

 

“To stay here would be a dream come true. To play for such an organization, that is. And my home is in Toronto. That

would be a rather unique feeling, in my opinion,” he remarked.

Nylander’s previous contract was a six-year, $45 million deal signed after a

negotiation that cost him the opening two months of the 2018-19 season.

 

Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving was happy to get the deal done

 

“I don’t think there was ever a time where we felt we weren’t going to get to

the finish line…. The player ultimately wanted to be here. We wanted the

player. So, you find a way.” said Treliving. “I know how hard it is to get

talent…. Every dollar matters because we live in a cap world.

 

“So, you folks can all debate it — and I’m sure it will be hotly debated — but at the

end of the day, when you can get a top player signed, it’s a good day.”

Half of the team’s “Core Four” are now long-term players thanks to the new

contracts that Nylander and Auston Matthews recently signed. On July 1,

John Tavares and Mitch Marner, the other two studs, will be free agents.

 

Nylander was chosen by the Leafs eighth overall in the NHL Draft of 2014. Last

season, he recorded a career-high 87 points (40 goals, 47 assists).