Can William Nylander be a legitimate option for the San Jose Sharks to sign during the summer of 2024?
The Sharks, who will have over $15 million of cap space after this current season concludes, can be looking to make a splash. Signing Willy Nylander can be exactly that.
Nylander, who currently holds a cap hit of just under $7 million is looking to get paid even more. And well deserved, indeed. After posting career-highs in goals (40), assists (47), and points (87), the Toronto Maple Leafs are stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Except that rock has become a lot bigger.
Nylander entered this season with just one year left on his current deal, with no new extension completed. Nylander’s camp is looking for a $10 million AAV. The Maple Leafs? Not so much.
Unfortunately for the Leafs organization, Nylander is off to a phenomenal start to the season. Through 15 games, Willy’s potted 10 goals and 22 points.
Yes, a 120-point pace if he can sustain this for 67 more games. Which I believe he will. Get it?
Anyway, the Leafs are in “Win-Now” mode. They can’t “win now” if they trade Nylander for a return that doesn’t equal the production he contributes to the team’s success. Ignore the fact he has been a main piece of the locker room for the past several years and trading him away will likely affect other stars like Matthews, Marner, and Reilly.
There’s a lot to gamble with in terms of a William Nylander trade. The Leafs may be forced to ride it out.
Losing Nylander for nothing would be such a shame.
Unless you’re a Sharks fan…
Mike Grier should jump on the opportunity if Nylander hits the market. He would speed up the rebuild immensely, and be here for the long run as he is only 27 years old. A seven-year at $70+ million would be a no-brainer for this Sharks team.
Some might say that Nylander would want to play for a contender. Why would he come to San Jose?
This is why: Nylander, Eklund, Smith, Bordeleau, Hertl, Couture, Celebrini, Cagnoni, Halttunen, Addison, Ferraro, Thrun, Blackwood, etc.
This roster won’t be too far off very soon. Nylander will be in the playoffs with this team, shortly, And for a long time, too.
Just imagine signing Nylander after drafting Macklin Celebrini first overall, with the addition of Will Smith to enter the 2024-25 campaign. Almost sounds too good to be true.
But at the same time, there also is a very big and realistic opportunity…
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