Detailed analysis shows how much Nyalnder is really worth

The standoff goes on as we are three weeks away from the deadline for the Toronto Maple Leafs to sign free agent William Nylander if the forward wants to play this season. Everyone’s got something to say about the negotiations: things are going well and both sides are keeping everything tight-lipped and confidential, or nothing is happening and fans are worrying. 

In his latest column for the Toronto Sun, Steve Simmons put together a very interesting analysis of what Nylander’s pay check should be. He considers Nylander the Leafs’ sixth most important player (behind Auston Matthews, John Tavares, Mitch Marner, Morgan Rielly, and Frederik Andersen) and believes he should be paid as such.

“So to recap: The Leafs have a game-changer in Matthews, an everything type of centre in Tavares, a game-changer in Marner, an it’s-still-early-but-maybe Norris Trophy candidate in Rielly and the better-than-solid Andersen in goal.”

Simmons also provides comparables, noting that Washington’s T.J. Oshie (the Capitals sixth most important player) earns an annual average value of $5.5 million while Pittsburgh’s Derick Brassard makes $5 million per. 

While it remains to be seen how much money Nylander will earn, Simmons feels the Maple Leafs cannot let this situation drag on up to the Dec. 1 deadline to re-sign Nylander. He calls upon general manager Kyle Dubas “to make a deal of some kind.”

Because, yes, time is running out…