Maple Leafs Future With Mitch Marner Officially in Jeopardy: the Consequences of William Nylander's Contract May Lead to the Team Losing Both Superstar Wingers
The Toronto Maple Leafs have a lingering issue over the team this season that will not go away, and that is William Nylander's contract status. He can walk as a UFA at the end of the season if he does not sign.
As of now he is currently leading the Leafs in scoring with 32 points in 24 games.
If William Nylander leaves Toronto as a UFA then Mitch Marner will have all the leverage as he will be the most skilled winger remaining on the team.
The Leafs' current season and future with the salary cap
The salary cap is potentially going up just $4 million next season, from $83.5 million to $87.5 million, and even with that modest jump the Maple Leafs will still be in a tight cap situation. Auston Matthews had a raise of about $1.6 million, from $11.64 million to $13.25 million, and will already eat a small chunk of that new cap space, depending on other UFAs of course.
William Nylander is currently making $6.96 million and is slated for a big raise. Many assume Nylander feels slighted being the least paid of the big-four Toronto forwards and will want to recoup his lower salary in his new contract, like David Pastrnak.
Rumours have Nylander asking above $10.5 million and with the current season he is having, along with his previous one, it is hard to not justify paying him as much. The big question for the Leafs is if they can afford it.
How Mitch Marner fits in to it all
If Nylander is signed to a big money contract, Marner would surely want to be equally compensated, or potentially will want more. If Nylander is to be paid handsomely, and Marner gets close to an equal amount, it will likely come out if the lower salary given to John Tavares in his final contract.
What could put the Leafs in a tough spot is if Nylander walks in free agency then Marner can seemingly ask for whatever he wants. It is discussed here.
As Read On NHL Trade Talk - Marner Could Have Maple Leafs «Against a Wall» If Nylander Exits
| POLL | ||
Who will get paid more? | ||
| Mitch Marner | 369 | 46.7 % |
| William Nylander | 421 | 53.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
