Is William Nylander’s Asking Price Putting His Future in Toronto at Risk?

William Nylander and the Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly on the verge of reaching a contract extension that could see the Swedish forward earning nearly $12 million starting from the upcoming season.

In the latest episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Frank Seravalli and Tyler Yaremchuk delve into their colleague Colby Cohen’s remarks, questioning whether the Maple Leafs should consider allocating the substantial funds elsewhere.

Tyler Yaremchuk highlights Frank’s vocal support for William Nylander as the team’s MVP despite Auston Matthews leading the league with 30 goals in the current season. Colby Cohen’s perspective on Morning Cuppa Hockey suggests that investing $11.5 million in another forward might be better spent on acquiring a quality defenseman or goalie.

Yaremchuk probes Frank Seravalli’s stance on this dilemma, acknowledging the desire to retain Nylander while questioning the optimal allocation of resources. Frank expresses inner conflict, recognizing Nylander’s outstanding performances in recent seasons. However, he raises concerns about the financial aspect, pondering the implications of Nylander becoming the fifth-highest-paid player in the league at $11.5 million.

Seravalli contemplates the likelihood of sustained top-level production from Nylander over the contract’s duration, especially considering the evolving landscape of the league and Nylander’s progression into his thirties. The overarching concern is how this substantial contract could impact the team’s salary cap dynamics.