NHL Insider gives grim update on William Nylander's negotiations

New Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving has already used up what was left of his team's salary cap space with the new contracts for Tyler Bertuzzi, Ryan Reaves and Max Domi. As it currently stands, they're in the hole by $8.3 million, meaning that a move will have to be made in order to get under the restraints of the salary cap. 

And this could mean that one of their high priced players could soon find themselves on the way out of Toronto. And if this latest report is any indication, it could in fact be forward William Nylander.

The Swedish forward is entering the final year of his current contract, and he'd like to earn what he sees as fair compensation for his services with his next deal. Reporter Chris Johnston has indicated that the two sides are nowhere close to a new contract, as Nylander is seeking a deal that would pay him at least $10 million AAV, while the Leafs are only willing to offer around $8 million AAV.

"With that roster, they still need to make some moves and free up some cap space in order to make everyone fit," Pagnotta said. "First of all, William Nylander is not close to an extension, he's looking for upwards of $10 million a season on a full eight-year term. And the Leafs are sitting around that $8.5 million mark. They've got some work to do to kind of bridge that gap." 

"I would be very surprised if he locks in before William Nylander, it sounds like they're trying to focus on Nylander to get him done." 

Leafs fans, are you starting to prepare for the real possibility of Nylander eventually moving on? 

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