Toronto Maple Leafs: Mike Babcock discusses William Nylander

Mike Babcock and the players talked on Monday with the media, about how William Nylander will fit back into the lineup for the Toronto Maple Leafs whenever he eventually returns to action.

There were a lot of talking points regarding the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday. This included the final roster cuts, the trade of Connor Carrick to the Dallas Stars and the countdown to Wednesday night’s season opener.

However — if it was possible — even these topics took a backseat with the media, who were still focused on William Nylander‘s contract situation. As such, there were plenty of questions for the team on Monday about their absent colleague, including head coach Mike Babcock.

Babcock has seen it all during his 15 seasons coaching in the NHL. As such, nothing phases him anymore. (Which is what made him the ideal person to deal with the Toronto media.)

As such, the 55-year-old was measured and matter of fact, when it came to discussing Nylander. As reported by Mark Masters of TSN, he said:

"“…the guys who have been here working every day are ahead of the guys who haven’t been here working every day. That’s just part of the business. We all understand that. It’s hard to manufacture the intensity we had today when you’re not here. It just doesn’t work like that.”"

With this in mind, if figures Nylander won’t automatically slot right back onto the first line, whenever he does eventually return. He will theoretically be given time on the lower lines, to get back into game shape.

How long this will take is open to debate, something which Patrick Marleau discussed. Again reported by Masters, the alternate captain said:

"“Everything takes a little bit of time. Obviously, the more you get familiar with somebody, the better it is. It all depends. Sometimes it clicks really quickly or it might take a few games … but as long as you play within our structure we should be pretty good.”"

Marleau’s opinion carries weight, due to his standing on the Leafs, including the respect he gets from his colleagues. His comments are also intriguing to listen to, given Nylander will be playing alongside him and Auston Matthews, whenever the contract negotiations are resolved and he is back to full fitness.

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And those negotiations have reached a point no one truly believed was possible. We sit here the day before the start of the new season, and still no deal has been agreed.

As we wrote on Monday, this now means the pressure has shifted squarely onto Nylander’s shoulders. Beginning Wednesday, he will start losing money.

How much, depends on what figure you want to use. Speculation suggests Nylander wants around $8 million per season, while the Leafs are apparently closer to $6 million.

Even if we use the lower of these two figures, it still works out to be a considerable amount. As calculated by the Toronto Sun‘s Steve Simmons, Nylander would lose $32,258 a day, $226,806 a week and nearly $1 million per month.

There has never been any hint of animosity between Nylander and the Leafs during the negotiations. In fact, as per Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star, at least both sides have now agreed to work towards a long-term contract, as opposed to a two-year bridge deal.

Fans can only hope this means a deal is imminent. As optimistic as everyone has remained, we are now at a point where something has to give, to stop this matter dragging on too deep into the regular season.

The 2018-19 campaign has the opportunity to be any extremely special one for the Leafs and everyone connected to them. Nylander needs to be a part of things, to strengthen that opportunity.

Where do you stand on the Nylander situation? Are you concerned about how his absence will impact the Toronto Maple Leafs? Or do you believe the team will not particularly miss him, if a deal is not agreed soon? Share your thought in the comments section below.