from Damien Cox of the Toronto Star,
Nylander will need a new contract after this season, and based on last season, it wasn’t hard to imagine he might have been eying something approaching the eight-year, $68-million contract signed by Leon Draisaitl in the summer. Certainly something north of $7 million per season.
Instead, Nylander may have to accept considerably less on a long-term arrangement, or even a bridge deal to get him through the next couple of seasons.
That alone would be very helpful to the Leafs given some of the choices they’ll have on their plate the next two summers. If they imagine taking a shot at John Tavares or Drew Doughty, they’ll need all the room they can get.
Marner, meanwhile, has one more season left on his entry-level deal, and more time to get his numbers in shape for his next negotiation. He has seen the riches bestowed on Connor McDavid (eight years, $100 million) and Jack Eichel (eight years, $80 million), the first and second picks of the 2015 NHL draft in which Marner was the fourth selection. McDavid’s contract would be out of reach, but based on Eichel’s play and numbers, he might be an easier comparable for Marner. That’s if Marner’s stats improve.
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