Rumor: Nylander like Matthews unextended. Nothing to see here.

[tuckerintensity]

Sure. Go get it somewhere else.

Nylander isn’t negotiating fairly here. There’s an entire league of comparables like Rantanen, Meier, Forsberg, Tkachuk that gives you a scatter plot of recently signed elite forwards who are better and worse than Nylander.

Instead of negotiating on those lines, he’s comparing himself to an in-house overpay for Auston Matthews, like there’s a floating overpay rate everyone is entitled to.

What he's doing is telling the Leafs that he will take a pay cut if everyone is willing to do so. That's neither unfair or unreasonable. You want him at 8 million, fine, but I don't want to be the only buying into that. Show me someone else taking a pay cut to stay and we'll talk.

So far all they can show them is two market deals and three overpayments. Which is, again, why it's always comical when a team asks one guy to do them a solid. That guy has to trust them to spend the money wisely and watch them overpay other blokes instead.

 

[glue]

I actually like that there's a bit more pressure on the Matthews camp if in fact Nylander has said he's willing to take less if AM does. Matthews reputation will 100% take a hit league wide as a 'Leader' if he's more about money than the team. I'm sure there would be teams willing to pay him 15 mil for 3 years, but really its his reputation on the line here - that he would leave for 'more money' than still get paid handsomely but put his team in a position to win. Lets see where this goes, could get interesting. I mean imagine BT getting on the podium and saying, 'We have decided to unfortunately trade Austin Matthews as his ask could not be accommodated in order for us to remain a top team in the league. Our best offer to remain a competitive team was 12.7 mil for 5 years which is the best contract in the league and even leaves term on the table, unfortunately Matthews is looking for 14 million for 5 years or less term for anything lower than 14 million which would not be good for the team'. Time to air some dirty laundry if the players are gonna be money hungry.

 

[Peace Frog]

I disagree with CJ regarding the idea of playing out the season with Willy and being prepared to let him walk. You either sign him or trade him.

The idea of not getting fair value for him in trade, doesn’t mean you still can’t get a good player in a deal.

Letting him walk after the season means not getting anything for him and hoping that keeping him for the season meant winning the Cup.

 

[Daisy Jane]

Why would they do that? The overwhelming majority of the NHLPA are the guys that lose out when the players like Matthews take as much as they can.

That may be the case in other sports, but not in a hard cap world where the pool is finite,

the NHLPA is really dumb quite frankly. (i've heard this from Ray Ferraro in regards to how higher end guys are pressured to take more beacause it does set up everyone else as a trickle down effect). sometimes it doesn't help when the GM is also dumb and is like "here take all the monies" (because who would say no?)

I have to say that's sort of a good shot across the bow from Nylander - like I'll do it if everyone else would. (but at the same time I would just.... take the less money and set the standard).

 

[Clyde Brewer]

Not just all those points, but that is not how sports has ever worked.

There will be a tonne of pressure from the NHLPA for Matthews to tske as much as he can, plus the fact is that all the top players leapfrog over each other every year regardless if they have ever won a Championship.

People can choose to disagree with the economics of sports, but it is not changing anytime soom. Hard cap or not.

Then what a great opportunity for Matthews to buck the trend and take less.

He's already a favourite among many Leaf fans, this would catapult him into being the unanimous favourite. His marketability would rise along with his popularity and he could take advantage of even more lucrative endorsement deals.

He has an opportunity to singlehandedly set the tone and encourage his teammates to follow suit.

If his willingness to take a discount were to end up being a catalyst for them winning a cup, then Matthews' legacy would be cemented forever, not only in Toronto, but the entire NHL.



I realize that this may be wishful thinking, but it is also a very real and achievable scenario. Matthews should already be financially set for life, so an extra million or 2 per season difference shouldn't change his life-it would just equate to more money in his portfolio.

 

[Jojalu]

Why would they do that? The overwhelming majority of the NHLPA are the guys that lose out when the players like Matthews take as much as they can.

That may be the case in other sports, but not in a hard cap world where the pool is finite,

I think it is pretty clear the NHLPA doesn't really care for the lowest tier.

Tweeners now have to fight for PTO's while the top tier takes a huge cut and allows 3/4 line guys to sign above value in UFA.

 

[Crosscrease14]

How does Nylander's agent figure he's worth more than Gaudreau? Nylander is coming off an 87 point season. JG put up 115 and signed for 9.75 x 7.

Said it a number of times but the Meier deal is the template. If Willy wants the other guys to take a discount take the lead and sign a fair deal.

Matthews has a Hart, Lindsay and two Rockets. The bargaining power isn't the same flat out.

 

[glue]

I disagree with CJ regarding the idea of playing out the season with Willy and being prepared to let him walk. You either sign him or trade him.

The idea of not getting fair value for him in trade, doesn’t mean you still can’t get a good player in a deal.

Letting him walk after the season means not getting anything for him and hoping that keeping him for the season meant winning the Cup.

The part here though is why Nylander is being focussed on as the one that should be traded if dude is actually willing to take less to be with the team and allow the team to succeed! I don't care if Matthews or Marner are better players, setting the right precedent and culture matters. Matthews takes less everyone else will as well - that simple. And its not even like he's being asked to become pauper. He's being asked to bring his demands to something aligned with other superstars in the League.

 

[I am Canadian]

THE PROBLEM is comparing himself to Auston Matthews. Matthews is Batman for better or for worse. Nylander is Robin’s sidekick.

He's not comparing himself to Auston Matthews. He's looking at the value of the contract. Matthews is quoting what, 13.5M x 3-4 years? That's not even close to a team value contract, and setting himself up to make even more on the next contract.

If the highest payed player is not willing to leave any money on the table, why should guys getting paid significantly less take less? Makes zero sense. Friedman is saying that Nylander is willing to take less, when have we ever heard this from Marner & Matthews' camp?

How does Nylander's agent figure he's worth more than Gaudreau? Nylander is coming off an 87 point season. JG put up 115 and signed for 9.75 x 7.

Said it a number of times but the Meier deal is the template. If Willy wants the other guys to take a discount take the lead and sign a fair deal.

Matthews has a Hart, Lindsay and two Rockets. The bargaining power isn't the same flat out.

He's signing 2 years after Gaudreau, with a massive jump in the salary cap to be expected.

 

[Farsailor]

How does Nylander's agent figure he's worth more than Gaudreau? Nylander is coming off an 87 point season. JG put up 115 and signed for 9.75 x 7.

Nylander is negotiating because he wants 9 and Leafs are sticking to 8?

 

[Crosscrease14]

Nylander is negotiating because he wants 9 and Leafs are sticking to 8?

I think if it was 9 it would be done by now. 8.8-9 is fine long term imo. Obviously not a source but Nylander's agent seems to be asking 10+ which is crazy to me.

He'll get less value signing on the market for 7 so the leafs should hold firm.

 

[Gary Nylund]

How does Nylander's agent figure he's worth more than Gaudreau? Nylander is coming off an 87 point season. JG put up 115 and signed for 9.75 x 7.

Said it a number of times but the Meier deal is the template. If Willy wants the other guys to take a discount take the lead and sign a fair deal.

Matthews has a Hart, Lindsay and two Rockets. The bargaining power isn't the same flat out.

115 points was a bit of an outlier and Gaudreau was also about 2 years older when he signed than Nylander is today. You know, right around that age when regression is to be expected and guess what, he regressed from 115 points to 74. Nylander's two years younger than Gaudreau was, he's coming off the best two seasons he's ever had and inflation has to be factored in as well so I think you could argue it both ways but Nylander being worth around the same as Gaudreau + inflation isn't completely unreasonable.

 

[ToneDog]

I think if it was 9 it would be done by now. 8.8-9 is fine long term imo. Obviously not a source but Nylander's agent seems to be asking 10+ which is crazy to me.

He'll get less value signing on the market for 7 so the leafs should hold firm.

Nylander has plenty of time to wait out the Leafs unless Leafs decide to trade him. Does not cost him anything to stick to 10m for as long as he sees fit to see if Leafs blink.

The way I see it, Leafs have probably decided to move him. Just need somebody to leak it.

 

[Buds17]

It's kind of comical the Leafs are asking either of these guys to take less than they are worth for the good of the team after signing Kampf, Reaves, and Klingberg to their contracts.

Klingberg is easily the highest paid among that trio at 4.15M, and he is on a one-year deal. Nylander - and obviously Matthews as well - will come in at significantly higher numbers.

 

[Farsailor]

I think if it was 9 it would be done by now. 8.8-9 is fine long term imo. Obviously not a source but Nylander's agent seems to be asking 10+ which is crazy to me.

He'll get less value signing on the market for 7 so the leafs should hold firm.

Why is that more crazy than Leafs sticking to 8 when Marner and Tavares make 3 million more on their current contracts? And Nylander could easily get more than 8 elsewhere, he would be the star on many teams in this leauge..

 

[Stephen]

What he's doing is telling the Leafs that he will take a pay cut if everyone is willing to do so. That's neither unfair or unreasonable. You want him at 8 million, fine, but I don't want to be the only buying into that. Show me someone else taking a pay cut to stay and we'll talk.

So far all they can show them is two market deals and three overpayments. Which is, again, why it's always comical when a team asks one guy to do them a solid. That guy has to trust them to spend the money wisely and watch them overpay other blokes instead.

It’s a weasel move. If he was legitimate in his intentions he would sign at X rate with the hometown discount baked in and signal to the rest to take a little off the top. This creates nothing.

 

[Kiwi]

I honestly couldn't care less what he thinks

I've been a fan of Nylander and think he's a fantastic player but the team comes first

He wants to much money he goes, it's as simple as that

No more

 

[tuckerintensity]

Nylander is negotiating because he wants 9 and Leafs are sticking to 8?

Stop with the logic. This is the comedy of the situation, everyone seems mad that Nylander is asking for 10... but that's closer to his market value than the Leafs rumoured offer.

It’s a weasel move. If he was legitimate in his intentions he would sign at X rate with the hometown discount baked in and signal to the rest to take a little off the top. This creates nothing.

It's not, but I see that you seem very offended by it* for reasons you haven't been able to explain with any logic.

*What you perceive it to be, that is. You've taken it far further than any rumour Friedman has put out there.

 

[Trapper]

How does Nylander's agent figure he's worth more than Gaudreau? Nylander is coming off an 87 point season. JG put up 115 and signed for 9.75 x 7.

Said it a number of times but the Meier deal is the template. If Willy wants the other guys to take a discount take the lead and sign a fair deal.

Matthews has a Hart, Lindsay and two Rockets. The bargaining power isn't the same flat out.

You are going to argue not only around the league but hard in terms of Nylander’s place on the team in relation to Matthews/Marner. Marner will argue if he is out pointing Matthews in the season and Nylander will argue he’s scoring more goals per season than Marner. The issue was created by Dubas.
If Matthews gets 14, do you not think Nylander is justified at 10? 4 million less?

 

[Stephen]

Is Nylander saying he wants the same as Matthews?

But I agree, Matthews is unlikely someone who cares two hoots about his teammates, so Nylander should not consider whether Matthews goes for all he can or not.

Nylander has 10 team protection, so probably is aware he may be moved. It would be in his own best interest to be as greedy as he can. He's not going to get any more respect from Keefe regardless of what he does, and while some teammates might give him some love, you know it won't be coming from the Double Digits.

I think he should make it straight forward and ask for what it is he’s willing to live with in Toronto, winning or not, discount or not and just let chips fall where they may. The whole pegging to another player he’s inferior than is pointless. Who can rightly or wrongly say how team friendly a Matthews contract is when we’re negotiating how much of a historic overpay he should get?

If $8.8-$9.5 million is untenable for Nylander on a long term deal; then good luck elsewhere.

 

[I am Canadian]

It’s a weasel move. If he was legitimate in his intentions he would sign at X rate with the hometown discount baked in and signal to the rest to take a little off the top. This creates nothing.

???

 

[Crosscrease14]

115 points was a bit of an outlier and Gaudreau was also about 2 years older when he signed than Nylander is today. You know, right around that age when regression is to be expected and guess what, he regressed from 115 points to 74. Nylander's two years younger than Gaudreau was, he's coming off the best two seasons he's ever had and inflation has to be factored in as well so I think you could argue it both ways but Nylander being worth around the same as Gaudreau + inflation isn't completely unreasonable.

It's totally unfair to call out a regression after he went to rebuilding Columbus.. context is important here.

As for the inflation argument the Meier contract sets the comparable. That's an 8 year deal signed a week ago. 10+ is still an insane ask imo.

 

[tuckerintensity]

Klingberg is easily the highest paid among that trio at 4.15M, and he is on a one-year deal. Nylander - and obviously Matthews as well - will come in at significantly higher numbers.

It doesn't mean they weren't overpaid. Hell, they legit asked Reaves what it would take to get him signed and they said they'd do it. That says more than the amount or term (both of which are too high and too long).

 

[PROUD PAPA]

So many numbers floating around. None of which are known to be factual.
I'll just say that if Nylander is going to make 10 per, I hope he's wearing another teams sweater.

 

[Stephen]

It's not, but I see that you seem very offended by it* for reasons you haven't been able to explain with any logic.

*What you perceive it to be, that is. You've taken it far further than any rumour Friedman has put out there.

1) Matthews and his ask is none of Nylander’s business. Full stop.

2) What would Nylander consider to be a Matthews hometown discount? Null/undefined.

3) What is a Nylander hometown discount vs Nylander full rate on the Leafs.

4) What is that relative to what he would get on any other franchise on a 7 year deal?