Nylander inks six-year extension with Leafs just before deadline

TORONTO — William Nylander’s contract impasse has finally come to an end.

The restricted free agent signed a six-year extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, just before the 5 p.m. deadline. The agreement carries an average annual value of $10.2 million US this season and $6.9 million from years two through six.

Nylander, who was selected eighth overall by the Leafs in the 2014 draft, had to sign a contract by Saturday’s deadline in order to be eligible to play in the NHL this season.

“I’m happy for our team. I’m happy for William,” Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas said before the team’s game in Minnesota against the Wild on Saturday. “I wish that we were able to get this done before training camp and he was able to be a part of this.”

Nylander and the club had been at odds after his entry-level contract expired on July 1, with negotiations stretching through the summer, into training camp and ultimately forcing the 22-year-old winger to miss 26 games this season.

There were reports Nylander, who remained in Europe during talks between his representatives and Dubas, was initially asking for $8 million per season on a longterm deal, with Toronto believed to have been countering with an offer in a $6-million range annually.

“Going home,” Nylander posted to Twitter along with a picture of his Leafs’ hockey bag about 30 minutes after the contract was announced.

The son of former NHLer Michael Nylander was the first of Toronto’s young star forwards — Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner are the others — to hit restricted free agency.

Leafs head coach Mike Babcock remained confident throughout negotiations that Nylander would eventually return to the fold.

“We think Willy’s going to be here, and we think Willy’s going to be here for a long time,” Babcock said last week.

Nylander is coming off back-toback 61-point seasons, including a 2017-18 campaign that saw him score 20 goals and add 41 assists. He had 49 points at even strength, with a team-high 34 assists.

The Calgary-born Swede has 48 goals and 87 assists for 135 points in 185 career games.

Dubas said he hoped Nylander would return to the lineup “in the next week or so.”