The Toronto Maple Leafs are one of the most talented teams in the league, but despite successful regular season campaigns, they always fizzle out in the playoffs, despite all this talent.
Matthews is making $11.64 million, Tavares $11 million and Marner is making $10.9 million, the only one that actually has a team friendly deal is William Nylander who has 1 season left after this year on a deal that pays $6,962,366.
When he held out until December to get this contract, maybe people were saying that the Maple Leafs seriously overpaid for him, but after scoring 90 points in 81 games last season and currently having 20 goals and 39 points in 34 games this season, this contract is definitely a steal for the Maple Leafs.
The problem now is though, his contract expires the same time Auston Matthews does, and Matthews will definitely be getting a raise. Nylander will also be looking for a raise on his current deal and well, the Leafs cannot afford both and if it comes to choosing, they will not be letting #34 leave without a fight.
If Matthews does indeed leave at the end of his deal like many insiders have suspected, it will free up a lot of room to re-sign Nylander, but if he doesn't Leafs fans can consider Nylander gone by mid next season as the Maple Leafs will not risk losing him for nothing.
