Nylander at 4.5 is not realistic

It's a bridge deal, look at the years

Why would he sign a bridge deal?

He'll likely see an increase in his point totals over the next few years, so when the bridge deal is up he'd be worth more than he is now, signing a larger contract

Just because its a bridge term doesn't mean it justifies the number.

How about you go read all these articles from reporters saying the leafs could look for a bridge deal with Nylander around 4-5 million a year. Don't shoot the messenger

Lots, mosf players sign bridge deals....Kucherov, Trouba for example. IMO Nylander wants a bridge anyway, but I think he might make 5.25m

COULD being the operative word. Meaning they are making it up.

The whole point of this site is to make up scenarios. This is a realistically what it could look like if nylander signed a bridge deal...

Yeah there is now way he signs a deal like this. If you want to give him a 4 year deal, it'll be 6 million and after those 4 years you'll be looking at an 8 year deal well over 10 million a season. The guy is going to score close to a point a game for the next 4-5 years for sure, likely even longer. Get him locked up for 8 now and then he'll be 30 and looking for his next deal. At that time, there will be so much supporting data showing the impending decline in his 30's that the team will be able to negotiate a high cap hit low term deal or a longer term but much reduced cap hit.

It's only a 3 year deal, and you can definitely up it to 3x$5mill if he's willing to do a bridge deal. His next contract would likely be much higher than it would be if he signs an 8 year deal this summer

Elhers signed a 7 year deal that pays him 6 million a season and I think Nylander is a better player cause he can play centre. So how does this work?

This would be the convo.

Dubas - "so how about a 3 year bridge deal worth 4.5 million?"

Nylander's agent - "Elhers"

Dubas - "what if we add 500K?"

Nylander's agent - "Elhers and Pastrnak"

Dubas - "How about 8 years at 7 million?"

Nylander's agent - "Now we are talking."

Leafs - "Kucherov"

That was too long ago and I think there is more than enough evidence that the Kucherov bridge deal was a trainwreck. They could have and should have had him at 8 years and less than 7 million. Instead they are going to pay a 27 year old winger over 10 million dollars next year. I'd rather pay 7 for the next 8 years than save a little bit now only to have to pay more later on. Its just poor asset management. Guys decline in their 30's don't give them huge contracts that go into those declining years.

That was 2 years ago... and a bridge deal would allow the leafs to afford to upgrade their D and get through the cap crunch until Marleau's deal is up in 2 years

All they have to do is manage next year and giving Nylander a bridge deal isn't the way to do it. It causes too many bigger problems later on. Its pretty clear now that a point a game pace gets you close to 10 million on an 8 year deal. Inflation keeps pushing that number higher. So if you bridge Nylander (which the market currently just doesn't do), you're opening yourself up to having to pay him way more on an 8 year deal 2-3 seasons from now. That's poor planning. That would make it almost impossible to keep Reilly, Kadri and Anderson in 3 years when they need new deals. Long term cost certainty for a core in their early 20's is the only smart path forward.

The defence will be fine and the forward depth will be insane.

To each their own... You disagree with me and I disagree with you. This could go on all day so I'm just gonna end it here. Nobody knows what Nylander, his agent, and the leafs are thinking and all we're doing is making assumptions

Very true.......but I'm totally right. LOL have a great weekend buddy and Go Leafs Go!