3 Players Who Could Benefit From William Nylander's New Deal


William Nylander's recent contract extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs has sent ripples throughout the NHL, particularly in the context of upcoming contract negotiations for players like Mitch Marner, Sam Reinhart, and Jake Guentzel, as ESPN's Greg Wyshynski and NHL analyst Lyle Richardson have pointed out.

Mitch Marner, who is entering the final season of his current contract, now finds himself in a favorable position for substantial paydays.

Nylander's $11.5 million annual average value (AAV) and Auston Matthews' $13.25 million AAV serve as notable benchmarks.

It's plausible that Marner's negotiations could fall within the range of $12 million to $12.5 million annually, given his significance to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Similarly, Sam Reinhart of the Florida Panthers and Jake Guentzel of the Pittsburgh Penguins, while slightly older than Nylander, can leverage his contract as they negotiate their own extensions.

With the NHL salary cap expected to rise by $4.2 million for the 2024-25 season, both Reinhart and Guentzel may seek contracts exceeding the $10 million mark annually.

Whether these deals come to fruition with their current teams or involve exploring other options, Nylander's contract has undeniably set a new benchmark, reshaping the landscape of NHL contract negotiations. Photo Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports