Toronto Maple Leafs: Dubas confident he can sign Nylander, Tavares scores in debut
Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas discussed the progress with William Nylander‘s contract negotiations and John Tavares scores in debut.
If Toronto Maple Leafs fans were looking for a quick resolution to William Nylander’s contract status, Kyle Dubas couldn’t provide much assurance that a deal was getting done soon.
The Leafs general manager was a guest on Sportsnet’s first intermission panel and the main topic of conversation was the ongoing contract discussions between the team and their lonely free agent.
Obviously, this is a crucial time so even if Dubas wanted to reveal anything he knows that it wouldn’t help the situation. At the same time, it won’t help ease the concerns from fans wondering when the 22-year-old will report to camp.
With each passing day it is easy to see why Leafs Nation especially the diehards are getting impatient but if we know anything from Dubas, it’s that he isn’t going to let anything phase him.
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We’ve heard various takes on the Nylander situation including Dubas saying to Brock University students that he wasn’t going to break the bank in order to get a deal done. Some reports are suggesting the team is offering at around $6.5 million a season but the Nylander camp wants more than $8 million.
When asked about getting a deal done before the regular season starts, Dubas was upfront about it.
"“We hope to and I have the same level of confidence that we can accomplish what we set out to do when I said that at the beginning of July,” Dubas told Nick Kypreos. “It’s our full intention that all these young guys are here for a long time…we’re trying to go through a process with them, with Lewis Gross and William Nylander…We got to be very mindful of our process here because of the impact it’s going to have on our young core pieces and we’re trying to make it all fit and sustain this as long as we can.”"
There doesn’t seem to be any rush to get his done and while that might not excite Leafs fans, this contract will set the tone for Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner so Dubas is going to try and get it right.
John Tavares wastes no time in preseason debut
It was a moment Leafs Nation has waited months for and well it appears that the wait was well worth it.
Just over five minutes into the preseason opener against the Ottawa Senators, Tavares was left alone down low as Mitch Marner fed him for one of the easiest goals he’ll score in a Leafs uniform. Some word of advice for opposing teams, if No. 91 is on the ice you might want to make sure he’s accounted for otherwise this is the result.
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What did you think about Dubas’ comments about Nylander’s contract situation? What was your reaction to Tavares’ goal? Let us know in the comments below.