So when new general manager Brad Treliving awarded single-season contracts to Max Domi, Tyler Bertuzzi, and John Klingberg, there are still more significant issues to be addressed in the coming months.
Among these are the contracts of forwards William Nylander and Auston Matthews, who will become unrestricted free agents at the end of the next season. Rumors have already begun to circulate that Nylander is seeking a contract worth 80 million dollars over eight years.
However, as reported by Charles-Alexis Brisebois, the Leafs organization isn't keen on giving that much money to the Swedish forward who will earn 6.9 million dollars in his last contract year. Not to mention Matthews' contract and if ever Nylander could be worth 10 million, imagine Matthews' value.
But, there may well be some news on the horizon.
According to David Pagnotta, the American player would like to see what the Leafs will do for Nylander before beginning serious discussions. Also according to the insider, a five-year contract around 14 million dollars per season could be on his radar.
Wow. 14 million per season, that's almost double what the captain of the Montreal Canadiens, Nick Suzuki, earns.
In fact, Cole Caufield and Suzuki earn a combined annual salary of just over 15 million dollars. This shows just how expensive Matthews is going to be:
If Matthews and the Leafs were to agree on such a contract, he would become the highest-paid player in the NHL.
Obviously, we are still far from an agreement between the two parties and it will be interesting to see how Matthews' situation evolves, as well as Nylander's, which will undoubtedly be Brad Treliving's priority in the coming months.
POLL | ||
14 JUILLET | 2246 ANSWERS Auston Matthews on the verge of signing the highest contract ever according to an insider What do you prefer? | ||
Auston Matthews at 14M$ | 524 | 23.3 % |
Caufield + Suzuki at 15M$ | 1722 | 76.7 % |
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