Leafs steer clear of Nylander due to contract impasse

The Toronto Maple Leafs and William Nylander still haven't came to terms for a contract. Although, all his teammates and coaches want him back it seems they are staying away from the restricted free agent.

With the contract impasse becoming a hot topic in the dressing room, some veterans of the Ontario organization can recall being in the same position as Nylander. For one, Patrick Marleau recalls back in 2001 when he was a restricted free agent himself and the contract talks with the San Jose Sharks extended to just two weeks before the new season. Just 22 at the time, Marleau remembers it being a stressful experience staying away.

At that time, yeah, Marleau told Sportsnet on Tuesday. I just wanted to go play, so that's probably the hardest part. That's probably one of the things everybody goes through

Marleau ended up signing a $1.3 million, one-year deal and arrived in camp two weeks before opening game that season. That is something William Nylander can't seem to afford with opening night for the Leafs just over a week away and Nylander still being in Sweden until a breakthrough happens in the contract talks.

Most players have left Nylander alone waiting until the contract talk clears up.

I leave him alone, Auston Matthews stated during an interview. He's obviously focussed on making sure he's in good shape, so when it gets done he can come here. He's a big part of this team. I talked to him a little bit over the last couple of weeks. But I don't want to keep peppering him and bothering him. He probably knows as much as you do. He's letting his agents and management here handle all that stuff. When he signs, he signs.

Head coach Mike Babcock stated he's talked with Nylander as he does with other players all summer, but decided to stop when it was clear there would be contract problem.

I shut it down totally, Babcock stated. I didn't want him or his agent to be thinking I was trying to influence the situation. Willie knows we want him back. We'd like him back as soon as possible.

Newly acquired John Tavares stated he doesn't know Nylander as much as everyone else does but stated that he knows what the players means to the organization.

I've only been around him a little bit, but the other guys love having him around, what type of player and person he is, and the impact he has for this hockey team, Tavares said. We hope it gets done sooner rather than later.

If you were the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, what contract would you offer to the young Nylander, taking in thought of the team's salary cap situation?