https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1172645834661347328

Still processing this. Certainly higher AAV than it should be and what I'd like it to be. But following the chatter around this, it really didn't seem like they were going to be able to get him long-term at much less than 11M. I loved the idea of the Leafs playing hardball with him, but Nylander missing camp and the first months of the season last year clearly screwed up not only his own play but the rest of the forward lines as well. I think it's obvious the Leafs wanted to avoid that situation, not to mention the cap situation w/ LTIR made it really difficult to go more than a few weeks into the season and sign him at the numbers being floated around. With Marner the Leafs have 3 years with the current core of 5 signed, if you include Reilly's excellent contract alongside Matthews Tavares Nylander Marner, and I think the Leafs were scared of wasting 1 of those 3 years on saving a million or two dollars per season. Not to mention Barrie is a UFA after this season, the Leafs will likely lose Muzzin after this season, and Andersen (also on a great contract) the year after that. The overpay is hard to stomach but compared to getting a rusty Marner or losing Marner for the whole season when you look at the window the current core has, I'm just glad he's under contract. I was expecting a 3 year deal so at least it's for 6. Really hoping that with the Seattle expansion, gambling revenue, and a new US TV deal in a few years, the cap goes up significantly in the near future. Oh, and I also hope Brayden Point milks the Lightning for every last penny instead of signing for below market value like it seems all Lightning players do (at least, pre-Vasilevskiy extension). And I hope Charlie McAvoy sues the Bruins for illegal contract negotiating and the franchise folds.