Contracts for the Big-3

[Zee]

James Mirtle is saying they're heading towards a bridge deal based on the sources he's talked to.


https://theathletic.com/594581/2018/10/17/mirtle-william-nylander-stalemate-with-the-maple-leafs-appears-headed-for-a-bridge-deal-solution/

Any article started with the precursor "...what I've been able to discern after to talking to as many sources as possible..." needs to be taken as 100% pure speculation. Mirtle doesn`t know anything. All Nylander articles should be considered opinion pieces.

Doubt it, when he mentions sources he has sources.  He's had other articles where he states it's his opinion on what Nylander should be worth.  Given that we're mid-October, I'm sure people behind the scenes must be hearing information, it's not just a total code of silence from the 2 camps.

 

[Zee]

James Mirtle is saying they're heading towards a bridge deal based on the sources he's talked to.


https://theathletic.com/594581/2018/10/17/mirtle-william-nylander-stalemate-with-the-maple-leafs-appears-headed-for-a-bridge-deal-solution/

It's probably best for Nylander to go bridge. Has worked out well for other players in the past.

Bridge isn't ideal for the Leafs.

If they can do a 3 year bridge I think it's best.  Guys like Marleau/Horton's contract will be off the books, and the cap will have increased substantially -- what that number is we don't know.

Also, Nylander will have to prove he's worth the money he's asking for.  If he comes out gangbusters and puts up a point a game then great, it's a win for Nylander AND a win for the Leafs as it'll give them an even more explosive offense.  Presumably the Leafs will have locked up Matthews and Marner to 8 year deals before then (we hope) so they will know for sure what they can afford to pay Nylander (and what he's worth in comparison to Marner)

 

[CarltonTheBear]

https://twitter.com/sunhornby/status/1052556421743566849

There was a random tweet yesterday suggesting that Nylander was flying to Switzerland yesterday too. Didn't think much of it because it was just a random guy but now it seems like it was legit.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/sunhornby/status/1052556421743566849

There was a random tweet yesterday suggesting that Nylander was flying to Switzerland yesterday too. Didn't think much of it because it was just a random guy but now it seems like it was legit.

#FlightTracker2018

Makes sense for this impasse to be negotiated on neutral territory.

 

[Zee]

Dubas is making things happen!!!

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Dubas is making things happen!!!

Let's hope he has to book an extra ticket for his return flight.

 

[herman]

What?s exciting is that Nylander is now directly having conversation with the team, rather than just through reps. 

 

[cabber24]

Real news.

 

[Zee]

Dubas is making things happen!!!

Let's hope he has to book an extra ticket for his return flight.

Worst case Dubas brings him back through force

 

[Bender]

James Mirtle is saying they're heading towards a bridge deal based on the sources he's talked to.


https://theathletic.com/594581/2018/10/17/mirtle-william-nylander-stalemate-with-the-maple-leafs-appears-headed-for-a-bridge-deal-solution/

It's probably best for Nylander to go bridge. Has worked out well for other players in the past.

Bridge isn't ideal for the Leafs.

If they can do a 3 year bridge I think it's best.  Guys like Marleau/Horton's contract will be off the books, and the cap will have increased substantially -- what that number is we don't know.

Also, Nylander will have to prove he's worth the money he's asking for.  If he comes out gangbusters and puts up a point a game then great, it's a win for Nylander AND a win for the Leafs as it'll give them an even more explosive offense.  Presumably the Leafs will have locked up Matthews and Marner to 8 year deals before then (we hope) so they will know for sure what they can afford to pay Nylander (and what he's worth in comparison to Marner)

Does anyone think that maybe Kapanen is a viable cheap replacement for Nylander and we can parlay Nylander into other assets? I wasn't really on board with that before but Kapanen at $5mil long term vs Nylander bridge and eventually $10mil? Ehhhh......

Man it is really going to get choppy keeping everyone.

 

[Zee]

James Mirtle is saying they're heading towards a bridge deal based on the sources he's talked to.


https://theathletic.com/594581/2018/10/17/mirtle-william-nylander-stalemate-with-the-maple-leafs-appears-headed-for-a-bridge-deal-solution/

It's probably best for Nylander to go bridge. Has worked out well for other players in the past.

Bridge isn't ideal for the Leafs.

If they can do a 3 year bridge I think it's best.  Guys like Marleau/Horton's contract will be off the books, and the cap will have increased substantially -- what that number is we don't know.

Also, Nylander will have to prove he's worth the money he's asking for.  If he comes out gangbusters and puts up a point a game then great, it's a win for Nylander AND a win for the Leafs as it'll give them an even more explosive offense.  Presumably the Leafs will have locked up Matthews and Marner to 8 year deals before then (we hope) so they will know for sure what they can afford to pay Nylander (and what he's worth in comparison to Marner)

Does anyone think that maybe Kapanen is a viable cheap replacement for Nylander and we can parlay Nylander into other assets? I wasn't really on board with that before but Kapanen at $5mil long term vs Nylander bridge and eventually $10mil? Ehhhh......

Man it is really going to get choppy keeping everyone.

Not yet, let Kapanen prove himself over a season, he's still an RFA as well, if he's able to keep up top 6 scoring then the Leafs have options going forward. No need to decide this in the next 2 seasons

 

[Bender]

Also the media is making a big deal out of this and acting like he's going to go play in Europe. There've been holdouts in years prior, with Athanasiou and Trouba holding out. Any other examples? The narrative around Nylander being entitled etc is just so bizarre given that both sides are doing what many teams and players have done in the past.

 

[Bender]

James Mirtle is saying they're heading towards a bridge deal based on the sources he's talked to.


https://theathletic.com/594581/2018/10/17/mirtle-william-nylander-stalemate-with-the-maple-leafs-appears-headed-for-a-bridge-deal-solution/

It's probably best for Nylander to go bridge. Has worked out well for other players in the past.

Bridge isn't ideal for the Leafs.

If they can do a 3 year bridge I think it's best.  Guys like Marleau/Horton's contract will be off the books, and the cap will have increased substantially -- what that number is we don't know.

Also, Nylander will have to prove he's worth the money he's asking for.  If he comes out gangbusters and puts up a point a game then great, it's a win for Nylander AND a win for the Leafs as it'll give them an even more explosive offense.  Presumably the Leafs will have locked up Matthews and Marner to 8 year deals before then (we hope) so they will know for sure what they can afford to pay Nylander (and what he's worth in comparison to Marner)

Does anyone think that maybe Kapanen is a viable cheap replacement for Nylander and we can parlay Nylander into other assets? I wasn't really on board with that before but Kapanen at $5mil long term vs Nylander bridge and eventually $10mil? Ehhhh......

Man it is really going to get choppy keeping everyone.

Not yet, let Kapanen prove himself over a season, he's still an RFA as well, if he's able to keep up top 6 scoring then the Leafs have options going forward. No need to decide this in the next 2 seasons

Right, but it's kind of like the stock market. Early investors take all the risk but if there's upside you get rewarded. It's the same with these players. You wait too long and they do pan out before signing a long term deal and you've got a cap problem. The flipside is they don't pan out and you're committed long term to a crappy player. I think we can safely project Kapanen as a good NHLer now though, so wouldn't the sooner we sign him the better?

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Right, but it's kind of like the stock market. Early investors take all the risk but if there's upside you get rewarded. It's the same with these players. You wait too long and they do pan out before signing a long term deal and you've got a cap problem. The flipside is they don't pan out and you're committed long term to a crappy player. I think we can safely project Kapanen as a good NHLer now though, so wouldn't the sooner we sign him the better?

How comfortable would you have been signing Kapanen to a long-term extension with a $5mil AAV this past summer? How comfortable would you have been signing him to that type of deal 2 weeks ago? 4.5 games doesn't earn you that type of contract. Especially not when it's being played alongside a super-hot Matthews.

 

[herman]

Also the media is making a big deal out of this and acting like he's going to go play in Europe. There've been holdouts in years prior, with Athanasiou and Trouba holding out. Any other examples? The narrative around Nylander being entitled etc is just so bizarre given that both sides are doing what many teams and players have done in the past.

The media (and older hockey men) remember how Michael Nylander didn?t play aw-shucks hockey pro doing whatever the team asked when he played. Hence William Nylander getting panned by certain scouts for being a diva.

 

[rdowdall]

James Mirtle is saying they're heading towards a bridge deal based on the sources he's talked to.


https://theathletic.com/594581/2018/10/17/mirtle-william-nylander-stalemate-with-the-maple-leafs-appears-headed-for-a-bridge-deal-solution/

It's probably best for Nylander to go bridge. Has worked out well for other players in the past.

Bridge isn't ideal for the Leafs.

I disagree.  I think a bridge is actually the best thing for the Leafs.  I'm of the opinion that the Leafs have to get through the next two years, because of the Marleau contract.  So get Nylander in now at a lower hit for two years.  Get Marner and Matthews signed next year hopefully with some space because Nylander took the bridge, and then when Nylander's contract runs out you have the ability to revisit the discussions and slot Nylander in someplace around where Marner and Matthews are. 

Even with talk that Matthews wants a short deal, I still see it coming in around 12 million.   

 

[dappleganger]

James Mirtle is saying they're heading towards a bridge deal based on the sources he's talked to.


https://theathletic.com/594581/2018/10/17/mirtle-william-nylander-stalemate-with-the-maple-leafs-appears-headed-for-a-bridge-deal-solution/

It's probably best for Nylander to go bridge. Has worked out well for other players in the past.

Bridge isn't ideal for the Leafs.

I disagree.  I think a bridge is actually the best thing for the Leafs.  I'm of the opinion that the Leafs have to get through the next two years, because of the Marleau contract.  So get Nylander in now at a lower hit for two years.  Get Marner and Matthews signed next year hopefully with some space because Nylander took the bridge, and then when Nylander's contract runs out you have the ability to revisit the discussions and slot Nylander in someplace around where Marner and Matthews are. 

Even with talk that Matthews wants a short deal, I still see it coming in around 12 million. 

I hear ya. I guess it depends on the parameters of the deal. Best case for the Leafs in my opinion would be 8 years at $6.5m which I thought was a fair target in the offseason.

If they can get Willy at $7m or $7.5m on an 8 year deal, I still think that?ll be better than what the number will be two years from now.

The Leafs might have to get creative in the interim.

 

[Kaberle15]

I like Nylander and what he brings to the Leafs. But a Bridge deal is way better now. Marner and Matthews are better players and we will need to have both signed to a re-do of the Cup next season.  8)

Also, I would keep Kapanen with Matthews, and let Nylander in the Kadri line, maybe he and Kadri can ignate in a 3rd 1st Line in terms of goals for.

If we can't fix our defense this season lets win the 14-13 games.

Also, I read a tweet yesterday that the airport in Swede was calling Mr. Willian Nylander to a Swiss flight. Very nice to see Dubas going there and try to clear up the situation and maybe solve it. #FreeWilly

Also the media is making a big deal out of this and acting like he's going to go play in Europe. There've been holdouts in years prior, with Athanasiou and Trouba holding out. Any other examples? The narrative around Nylander being entitled etc is just so bizarre given that both sides are doing what many teams and players have done in the past.

Kaberle played in the Czech republic before he sign his 2nd contract with Toronto way back in time.

 

[Bender]

Right, but it's kind of like the stock market. Early investors take all the risk but if there's upside you get rewarded. It's the same with these players. You wait too long and they do pan out before signing a long term deal and you've got a cap problem. The flipside is they don't pan out and you're committed long term to a crappy player. I think we can safely project Kapanen as a good NHLer now though, so wouldn't the sooner we sign him the better?

How comfortable would you have been signing Kapanen to a long-term extension with a $5mil AAV this past summer? How comfortable would you have been signing him to that type of deal 2 weeks ago? 4.5 games doesn't earn you that type of contract. Especially not when it's being played alongside a super-hot Matthews.

Couldn't you say the same about Nylander to a degree?

 

[Bender]

James Mirtle is saying they're heading towards a bridge deal based on the sources he's talked to.


https://theathletic.com/594581/2018/10/17/mirtle-william-nylander-stalemate-with-the-maple-leafs-appears-headed-for-a-bridge-deal-solution/

It's probably best for Nylander to go bridge. Has worked out well for other players in the past.

Bridge isn't ideal for the Leafs.

I disagree.  I think a bridge is actually the best thing for the Leafs.  I'm of the opinion that the Leafs have to get through the next two years, because of the Marleau contract.  So get Nylander in now at a lower hit for two years.  Get Marner and Matthews signed next year hopefully with some space because Nylander took the bridge, and then when Nylander's contract runs out you have the ability to revisit the discussions and slot Nylander in someplace around where Marner and Matthews are. 

Even with talk that Matthews wants a short deal, I still see it coming in around 12 million. 

I hear ya. I guess it depends on the parameters of the deal. Best case for the Leafs in my opinion would be 8 years at $6.5m which I thought was a fair target in the offseason.

If they can get Willy at $7m or $7.5m on an 8 year deal, I still think that?ll be better than what the number will be two years from now.

The Leafs might have to get creative in the interim.

Exactly. How is $7-8mil now worse than $10+mil long term 3yrs from now going forward? Maybe they're betting on the arbitrator not giving him that much?