Toronto Maple Leafs: Short-term deal makes sense for William Nylander

Though both the Toronto Maple Leafs and William Nylander would prefer to get a long-term deal done, a short-term deal seems inevitable. It would also make sense for both parties.

When the Toronto Maple Leafs signed John Tavares to a massive deal on July 1, naturally, everyone wondered if the Leafs would be able to keep all their players. General Manager Kyle Dubas promised that they would be able to. His first test has come in the form of restricted free agent William Nylander. Though both sides want a long-term deal, a short-term deal might be necessary.

Something has to be worked out before Dec. 1 if the Leafs want Nylander to play in the NHL this season. With a little over a month to work with, it’s time for both sides to start considering a short-term deal. It might be better for the Leafs to sign Nylander long-term, but both sides are running out of options.

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Additionally, for a variety of reasons, a short-term deal might be the best thing for both parties. Both the Leafs and Nylander would benefit from a bridge deal, especially if they’re still far apart on a long-term deal.

How It Helps The Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs are going to have a difficult time fitting everyone in under the salary cap. With Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, along with potentially as many as 10 others, needing new deals after the 2018-19 season, they’ll need as much cap space as possible.

If Nylander signs a three-year or four-year deal worth about $5 million per season, that would give the Leafs the best of both worlds. They’ll be getting one of their best players back while still having enough cap space to keep their important players.

There’s minimal risk for a short-term deal for the Leafs in this situation. They could handle just like the Tampa Bay Lightning handled Nikita Kucherov. He was in very much the same situation that Nylander is currently in. Not only did Kucherov get a bridge deal, he eventually got the long-term deal he wanted. Signing Nylander to a short-term deal would also let the salary cap rise a bit more before they have to sign him to a long-term extension.

How It Benefits Nylander

It’s hard not to feel bad for Nylander. All he wants is to make as much money as possible, which is reasonable. Yet, because he happens to be the guinea pig for the Leafs strategy of hanging onto their best players, Nylander, through no fault of his own, is stuck holding the short straw.

However, a short-term deal makes sense for him. First of all, it would get Nylander back on the ice. Ultimately, athletes care primarily about two things – making money and winning. While Nylander might not make as much money now as he would with a long-term deal, signing a short-term deal would get him back to focusing on the latter.

Also, with the constantly rising salary cap ceiling, Nylander would benefit from stealing a page from Kucherov’s playbook. He has five years remaining until he is an unrestricted free agent. Therefore, a three-year or four-year deal would let him get back on the market soon. Likely with a much higher cap ceiling too. Which, in theory, would mean more money for Nylander.

With Dec. 1 looming, both parties need to make sure this situation ends before Nylander misses the entire season. Because that’s a scenario neither party would benefit from.