Leafs: Asking young stars to sign at a discount doesn’t surprise Sundin
Mats Sundin isn’t surprised the Toronto Maple Leafs are asking their young stars to make a financial sacrifice to stay together.
The way the team’s former captain sees it, that’s simply the nature of the business.
"I think (it happens) in every negotiation for all players in the league," Sundin said with a grin at an NHL Alumni Association event Monday night.
But the salary cap crunch the Leafs could face if Auston Mat- thews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander all max out their dollar value is no laughing matter.
In a somewhat unusual public declaration earlier this month, Leafs president Brendan Shanahan indicated the team would request the talented forwards take less money on their next deals in order to fit everyone under the cap.
Nylander, a restricted free agent, is currently mired in a contract impasse that dragged through the summer, into training camp and is now approaching the 10-game mark of Toronto’s season.
The 22-year-old winger, who is coming off back-to-back 61point campaigns, and the Leafs are reportedly as much as $2 million U.S. apart on a longterm deal, with Nylander’s camp thought to be asking for around $8 million annually and Toronto countering in the $6million range.
Matthews and Marner, both 21, can become restricted free agents next summer and are also in talks with the team on new contracts that, barring something unforeseen, will exceed whatever Nylander eventually gets.
“For Nylander and the Maple Leafs, you hope that the whole situation’s going to settle,” said Sundin, who played 13 seasons in Toronto. “(The Leafs) have a great, young group of players right now that are going to be able to compete and be one of the best teams in the league for a long time.”
Now 47, Sundin said he’s been keeping a close eye on the Leafs, who started the season with big expectations after signing Islanderes star John Tavares in free agency.
“It’s great as a former player and former captain for the fans and the city to have such a great, young team that are going to be great for a long time,” Sundin said. “I’m very excited to watch.”