Insider says Maple Leafs explored moving William Nylander this summer

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Cooper Godin
August 29, 2023 (2:30 PM)

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Two of the Toronto Maple Leafs' best players, Auston Matthews and William Nylander, became eligible to sign contract extensions on Canada Day and so far, only one of them inked a new deal.

Last week, Auston Matthews signed a four-year extension which is set to kick in ahead of the 2024-25 season and will see him earn $13.5 million AAV.

As for William Nylander, it appears that the Maple Leafs explored trading him this off-season according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, but didn't like what was out there.

"I think the Maple Leafs just decided [to keep him for this year] I think they looked at trading him. I don't think they liked what was out there," Friedman said. "I mean, he did score 40 goals last year. He's a really talented guy and in the playoffs, he was involved in a couple of their really successful moments against Tampa Bay. I think they know that and recognize that, they didn't like what was out there [in the trade market]."

The 27-year-old is coming off the best season of his NHL career thus far, putting up 87 points (40 goals, 47 assists), 28 penalty minutes and was a plus-ten in 82 games. He followed that up with ten points in 11 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

With the salary cap going up next summer, potentially as high as $3 million, there's no doubt that the Maple Leafs will be able to sign Nylander to an extension, but it'll come down to what that contract may look like and if Nylander wants to stay in Toronto long-term. It's certainly going to be interesting to watch over the next several months if the two sides are able to get something done.

Source: DailyHive

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