TORONTO (AP) — The Toronto Maple Leafs made a significant move today by securing a long-term contract extension with forward William Nylander. The contract spans eight years and carries an average annual value of $11.5 million.
Nylander, 27, has been in fine form this season, currently tied for fifth place among NHL scoring leaders with 54 points. In 37 games with the Maple Leafs, he has notched 21 goals and 33 assists. Impressively, Nylander set a new franchise record for the longest point streak to start a season, tallying 27 points in 17 games. He has also maintained a remarkable 13-game point streak and contributed points in 33 out of 37 games this season. Furthermore, Nylander earned recognition as the NHL Star of the Week in consecutive weeks of November.
During the previous campaign, Nylander played in all 82 regular season games and 11 playoff games, achieving personal bests in goals (40), assists (47), and points (87). His consistent performance has earned him respectable rankings on the regular season franchise all-time list, currently placing 15th in goals, 17th in assists, and 14th in points.
Aside from his achievements in the NHL, Nylander has also represented Sweden on the international stage. He has notably competed in three IIHF World Championships, aiding Sweden to win the gold medal in 2017. Nylander’s exceptional performance in that tournament earned him recognition as the World Championship MVP. He has also participated in other prestigious events such as the World Junior Championships and the World U-18 Championships.
Nylander was originally drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs as the 8th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft.
This contract extension demonstrates the Maple Leafs’ commitment to Nylander, who has proven himself to be an integral part of the team’s success. With his outstanding achievements and consistent performance, Nylander’s role on the Leafs will undoubtedly continue to be crucial for years to come.