Toronto Maple Leafs reach final decision on the future of William Nylander

Last week, Auston Matthews signed a four-year contract extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The deal is set to kick in ahead of the 2024-25 season and will see him earn $13.5 million AAV. Locking down Matthews was the Leafs number one priority closely followed by signing William Nylander to an extension.

Unfortunately for the Leafs they've been unable to sign William Nylander. It now appears that the Maple Leafs and Nylander were so far apart that the Leafs explored trading him this summer. According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the Leafs aggressively shopped Nylander but couldn't find a deal to their liking.

"I think the Maple Leafs just decided [to keep him for this year] I think they looked at trading him. I don't think they liked what was out there," Friedman said. "I mean, he did score 40 goals last year. He's a really talented guy and in the playoffs, he was involved in a couple of their really successful moments against Tampa Bay. I think they know that and recognize that, they didn't like what was out there [in the trade market]."

Nylander, 27, is coming off the best year of his NHL career. Nylander scored 87 points (40 goals, 47 assists), 28 penalty minutes and was a plus-ten in 82 games.

With the salary cap going up next year, potentially as much as $4 million, the Maple Leafs could be able to sign Nylander to an extension, but it'll come down to if those two parties are able to come to an agreement that works for everyone.

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POLL
29 AOUT \| 1571 ANSWERS Toronto Maple Leafs reach final decision on the future of William Nylander Do you think William Nylander will re-sign with the Maple Leafs?
Yes	500	31.8 %
No, they'll trade him this season	525	33.4 %
No, he'll walk to free agency next summer	397	25.3 %
See Results	149	9.5 %
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