Insider Drops Latest Rumblings On Leafs Extension Talks With Matthews & Nylander

Leafs Nation is getting antsy. We're now nine days past the July 1st date when Toronto Maple Leafs stars Auston Matthews and William Nylander were eligible to sign extensions. Both are heading into the final years of their contracts. But neither player is close to putting pen to paper. So what gives? Insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period has the latest rumblings:

Are Auston Matthews and William Nylander any closer to signing contract extensions? @TheFourthPeriod provides the latest. @NickGismondi | #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/xGw9PBF6X6
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) July 9, 2023

"I can tell you one thing," said Paggnotta, "talking to a bunch of people around this situation: first of all, William Nylander is not close to an extension. He's looking for upwards of $10M a season on a full eight-year term, and the Leafs are sitting around the $8.5M mark. They've got some work to do to bridge that gap.

"The other thing I can tell you: I would be very surprised if Auston Matthews locks in before Nylander does... It's going to be a 3, 4 or 5-year contract in Toronto for Matthews."

The reason behind getting Nylander done first, most likely, is that the last thing the Leafs want is for Willie to see Auston's huge number (anywhere from $13M-to-$14M dollars AAV) and then come back to them with, 'hey, you're giving Matthews this much, so I think I deserve THIS much.'

It's a tricky situation new GM Brad Treliving has to navigate, and this all might take some time.

Photo: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports