15 Oct 2018 04:45:19
So, here’s my thoughts: we offer Nylander a front loaded contract: years 1-4@$10M, followed by years 5-8@$4M. AAV = $7M.

Why Nylander does this:

He gets long term deal close to what he wants. The front loaded contract acts as NTC, as nobody is going to want to pay Nylander $10M unless he really steps up his game and starts hitting 25+ goals and 80+ points a year consistently (in which case, we get our money’s worth and won’t trade him anyway) .

Why Leafs do this:

They get Nylander at a price close to what they want. And at the same time, leave open the possibility of trading him the second half of his contract should they ever desire to do so for whatever reason.

It’s a hard negotiation. And if what Jodes says below is true, that Leafs are wanting to bridge Nylander at 4x$5M, then Nylander may as well start packing his bags now. Because they are way too far apart to reach agreement.

It’s just one possibility that I haven’t heard anyone else discuss yet. I mean, somethings got to give here. If you think $7M AAV is too high, just lower years 1-4 to $9M and AAV is $6.5, which seems pretty reasonable to most people on this site.

1.) 15 Oct 2018
15 Oct 2018 05:45:19
The CBA has rules on the maximum salary variability on a contract which I believe is 35% up or down. So, if you have him $10M in years 1-4, the remaining years need to be at least $6.5M.

2.) 15 Oct 2018
15 Oct 2018 05:58:14
Marcus is right. You would have to slowly decrease it. Like $10mill, $9mill, $8mill etc. Year to year can’t be more than 35% gap.

3.) 15 Oct 2018
15 Oct 2018 06:27:47
At this point, I really think you'll be looking at a bridge contract for Nylander. Which should work out better for you at least in the short term. He's not going to sit out a year and it doesn't appear they will trade him, so bridge is the only option left. Unless one side or the other caves on their expectations for a long term deal.

4.) 15 Oct 2018
15 Oct 2018 06:28:53
But I think it will be a two year bridge, not longer.

5.) 15 Oct 2018
15 Oct 2018 06:41:26
@memarcusjoe and UnbiasedJim

Very interesting. I’m glad I floated this proposal here. I just learned something new about cba again. Jim, you especially seem to be well read in the subject.

So the idea could still work, but the payout each year would have to be slightly changed is all.

Thanks joe and Jim. I really appreciate the response. As I’ve said before numerous time, knowledge is power.

6.) 15 Oct 2018
15 Oct 2018 16:10:09
Dont think willy will do a bridge deal or iw would be done by now. Its going to come down to trading him. So do it now and get that money helping our blue line.

7.) 15 Oct 2018
15 Oct 2018 19:04:27
Nylanders not going to waste a whole season. And even if he does, we own his rights till he’s 27. Ride it out. Hold strong at long term for $6.5 mill range. The longer this goes, the better it is for the leafs as his cap hit is being weighted more and more to this season than years 2-7 by the day. Best case is sign him November 30th. If we do that and it’s for 7x$6.5mill, his cap hit is almost $9.1 mill this season and it’s $6.2 for the next 6 seasons. That’s ideal for us.