THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS:
Hearing @Leafs and Nylander continue strong dialogue for potential resolution. To my knowledge no pending deal as of yet but talk of possible 6 yr term being discussed. Allows Leafs to lock in 1st UFA yr while raising his AAV. Speculation on my part but
thinking 6.5-7m per— Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) October 23, 2018
William Nylander did not return to practice with the @DECBulldogs in Austria this morning. He practised with them three times last week, and used their ice yesterday as well.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 23, 2018
Leafs GM Kyle Dubas and Lewis Gross, agent for William Nylander, spoke Sunday/Monday in NYC and my sense is that the dialogue remains open with more plans to talk at some point. Which beats the alternative of course. The pressure of a Dec. 1 deadline working on both sides.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) October 23, 2018
Sundin not surprised Leafs asking stars to take less money to stay together ... per @JClipperton_CP https://t.co/gN6BhjKXg4
— Kevin McGran (@kevin_mcgran) October 23, 2018
October 22, 2018
While many are trying to connect the potential trade dots on TOR GM Kyle Dubas being at last night’s NYR-CGY game at MSG, which I suppose is possible, it’s worth noting two things: 1. William Nylander’s agent Lewis Gross lives in Manhattan. 2. Dubas likes to go to hockey games.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) October 22, 2018
And I can confirm that Lewis Gross at indeed at that game last night. Of course he represents Flames star Johnny Gaudreau https://t.co/UAahL8aw0K
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) October 22, 2018
More cloak and dagger work uncovers Dubas and Nylander's agent, Lewis Gross were seen talking before the Flames/NYR game last night. Have to believe that is why Dubas was there. https://t.co/fV2KYP8gnn
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) October 22, 2018
October 21, 2018
October 19, 2018
Kyle Dubas has returned from Europe and Nylander is skating with an Austrian hockey team.
Also a Kyle Dubas sighting today, though he apparently didn’t bring any souvenirs back from Switzerland with him.
— Lance Hornby (@sunhornby) October 19, 2018
@wmnylander practising with Austrian hockey team Dornbirn Bulldogs this week. Image shows Nylander together with Bulldogs Head Coach @DaveMacQueen. pic.twitter.com/qFrtAPTqS0
— Dornbirn Bulldogs (@DECBulldogs) October 19, 2018
October 17, 2018
Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun: A source is saying that Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas has flown to Switzerland and is having a meeting with restricted free agent William Nylander and his agents.
Nylander has been skating in Sweden on his own.
The source has stressed that they did not know if it was to get him signed, or that the meeting was to reassure Nylander that despite their early season success, they still want to have him long-term.
Hornby wonders if Nylander’s reps (U.S. agent is Lewis Gross, his dad Michael also represents him) are getting a little antsy as there may be a growing perception that they Leafs can win without him or they should trade him as he’s asking for too much.
TSN: Darren Dreger confirmed that Dubas is in Europe and is meeting with Nylander and his camp today.
Does Kapanen play change the Leafs stance? Hurricanes watching?
TSN: Darren Dreger on Insider Trading notes that Kasperi Kapanen will also be a restricted free agent at the end of the season. If he puts up 50-60 points this season, he could be looking at upwards of $5 million a season. They are obviously not at that stage yet though. Somebody might have to go.
“If it’s not William Nylander assuming that he comes in and he signs a bridge deal or otherwise, if it’s not Kasperi Kapanen because they find a way to keep him, somebody has to go from a cap perspective. Good problems to have because the Maple Leafs are a good team with both those players in house.”
Pierre LeBrun continuing after Dreger noted some people think Nylander has lost some leverage with the Maple Leafs goal scoring start to the season.
“On the other hand I think it’s my understanding that it probably strengthens their belief that they’re trade bait because in fact they can win and score goals without him and yet they still have trouble defending. So that’s been a belief since the get go and a fear from the Nylander camp, that they can’t get a no-trade clause of course so will they be dealt if they sign. So because of that it’s become more imperative than ever for Nylander that if any when he signs a contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, that it’s a contract he can live with, not just in the Leafs puzzle but also if he ends up with that contract on another team.”
LeBrun notes that teams are watching this situation. Two GMs told yesterday that it’s their understanding that Dubas doesn’t want to trade Nylander. The closer December 1st approaches, they may change their stance. Keep any on the Carolina Hurricanes.
“Carolina to me is a team you have to keep an eye on because of the teams that have interest in Nylander; the Hurricanes are as deep on defence as any team. They have five top-four defenceman and a guy that the Leafs would have interest in if it ever goes down this road would be Brett Pesce. He has a six-year deal at just over four million a year, a cap friendly deal and is a young top-four defenceman.”