Leafs legend Salming calls out Nylander

“It’s not a sh*tty contract they’re offering…”

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 5 years ago
Leafs legend Salming calls out Nylander
Zuma Press

We’re now just two weeks from the opening night puck drop at the ScotiaBank Arena, formerly the Air Canada Centre, and there’s still no contract in place for Toronto Maple Leafs sniper William Nylander

The 22 year old Swedish forward’s three year, entry level contract expired on June 30th, 2018 and it would appear that he and the Leafs have done little negotiating this offseason. Despite some chatter about a potential long-term deal, not much has been reported on Nylander’s negotiations, leaving many Leafs fans wondering just what the hold up is…

With 42 goals and 80 assists through his first 163 NHL games, Nylander has done more than enough to warrant a long-term commitment, but for whatever reason the two sides have not been able to come to an agreement on dollars. Given his production and his draft pedigree Nylander has put himself in the conversation with other young snipers like David Pastrnak and Leon Draisaitl … but it appears that the Leafs don’t see it that way.

Pastrnak earns $6.7 million per season, while Draisaitl earns $8.5 million. According to a report from TSN's Darren Dreger, the Leafs aren’t interested in anything over $6.3 million per season.

Check it out:

If that’s true, the Leafs legend Borje Salming thinks Nylander should take the money, suit up and shut up. In a recent interview with Swedish tabloid Expressen, Salming had some choice words for his young countryman. Check out these quotes from Salming on Nylander translated from Swedish:

“I think he should think it through thoroughly. Imagine if they don’t come to an agreement and he lands on another team instead, then everything he’s built in Toronto can be ruined. There’s always a risk about going to another team, you may not get along with the coach and get sent down to the AHL, who knows.” 
“It’s not a shitty contract they’re offering, it’s a really good contract, and money isn’t everything. William’s a very nice guy and I don’t know if there’s someone else behind the demands. But I’m going to call him during the day.”
“That I want him to think it through thoroughly. If it’s worth it. He’ll surely write a new contract with Toronto in two- to three years if he accepts this contract. We’ve talked a lot before and he’s a good guy. It’s sad that it’s like this.”

What do you think? Should Willy take the money and run?

Source: Expressen