The Will Nye Contract Dispute thread
- Thread starter LeafGm
- Start date
BeLeafer
Well-known member
Yep. It is making a strong case for management that he's not one of the most important guys in the lineup. Sure, he's a nice add-on to this team right now.
I wonder if signing Tavares and taking away Willy's short and intermediate term for being a centre is part of why his group is being so demanding. Centres value more than wingers and Willy is a legit centreman that Babs has not given him the opportunity to show.
Iknowenuff
Banned
Sometimes you add when you subtract. Unfortunately for Willy, that is the case so far. I like him at 5 million, but 8 million plus makes me barf. Come on kid.
Dubas was never going to cave under any circumstances with Chilly Willy . You can’t lose the battle with a 22 year old punk on your first negotiation who is your 7th most important player.
Volcanologist
Well-known member
If that's the case then what's the problem with paying him 8.5 million? the way Marner's going that would be a bargain for him.
JackBurton
Well-known member
Chris Johnston claims Willy and his daddy and agent are considering the KHL. Unfortunately, we drafted a real pain-in-the-ass.
This is looking more and more like he'll need to be moved.
This is looking more and more like he'll need to be moved.
Wayward DP
Well-known member
meh, I think this is just posturing. Obviously Willy does not want to end up in the KHL for any term. his team has to know that he would be leaving money on the table over the long-term (maybe even short-term too), reckon they are trying to get the Doob man to blink. think it is clear at this point that Doobs is holding firm.
Blueman
Well-known member
'rumblings' isn't quite claiming that he is considering KHL. Sounds like unsubstantiated rumours to me.
Wayward DP
Well-known member
honestly I suspect Willy's camp leaked those rumours deliberately
leafman101
Well-known member
Bob Hartley (who coaches Avangard, the team that has Willy's KHL Rights):
Nice try Willy's agent.
Nice try Willy's agent.
LeafOfFaith
Well-known member
This is so disappointing. The Leafs brass has to be pretty unimpressed with him right now, and no doubt Babcock is gonna punish him long and hard if he returns for not putting the team first.
Wayward DP
Well-known member
I don't expect Willy to get anywhere near the first line when he returns for several weeks. He's going to be playing catch up, and I think we all have an idea about how Babs feels about the situation.
I understand that he has to try and take care of himself, but I really don't see what he stands to gain at this point.
LeafGm
Well-known member
Before people get all bent out of shape, there's no telling where this story got "leaked" from.
This story could just as easily be coming from the KHL team that owns Willy's rights, because they'd love to grab his attention and get him to at least consider coming to play for their team.
Now if it is coming from Willy's people, then it'd be a definite sign that they're getting desperate and that this whole situation is likely winding down. When Andreas Athanasiou was in his contract dispute with the Red Wings last year, his agents tried playing the "well, maybe I'll go play in the KHL" card too shortly before they ended up caving and signing what Detroit was offering.
The bottom line is, the moment Nylander signs a contract and plays a minute with any KHL team his NHL season this year is effectively over, as he would need to clear waivers before re-joining any NHL lineup this year. So is he really going to write-off this NHL season and his NHL paycheques this year so that he can make a pro-rated two-thirds of a KHL salary (the KHL season is already 1/3 of the way over) and play in some gritty Russian backwater city that's 2300 KM East of Moscow and on the border with Kazahkstan?
I seriously doubt it. Especially since he'd just be in the same position again next year---an RFA with no arbitration rights and no leverage.
This story could just as easily be coming from the KHL team that owns Willy's rights, because they'd love to grab his attention and get him to at least consider coming to play for their team.
Now if it is coming from Willy's people, then it'd be a definite sign that they're getting desperate and that this whole situation is likely winding down. When Andreas Athanasiou was in his contract dispute with the Red Wings last year, his agents tried playing the "well, maybe I'll go play in the KHL" card too shortly before they ended up caving and signing what Detroit was offering.
The bottom line is, the moment Nylander signs a contract and plays a minute with any KHL team his NHL season this year is effectively over, as he would need to clear waivers before re-joining any NHL lineup this year. So is he really going to write-off this NHL season and his NHL paycheques this year so that he can make a pro-rated two-thirds of a KHL salary (the KHL season is already 1/3 of the way over) and play in some gritty Russian backwater city that's 2300 KM East of Moscow and on the border with Kazahkstan?
I seriously doubt it. Especially since he'd just be in the same position again next year---an RFA with no arbitration rights and no leverage.
Artnes
Well-known member
He would get his adjustment period for a few weeks then he would be back with the top line where he belongs
It silly to suggest punishing a player for exercising his right as part of the negotiation process
We keep hearing one side of the story which is an entirely negative spin on Willy but nothing from the side of the Leafs. Who knows what they are countering with.
It silly to suggest punishing a player for exercising his right as part of the negotiation process
We keep hearing one side of the story which is an entirely negative spin on Willy but nothing from the side of the Leafs. Who knows what they are countering with.
Wayward DP
Well-known member
I don't think it is silly at all. Framing it in those terms eliminates much of the context that justifies putting him lower in the line up if/when he returns.
While you say "exercising his right", Babs says "missed training camp". It's not so much punishing Willy as doing what is best for the team. Of course, this assumes Willy will be behind the curve if and when he does return.
What I think will happen though is Babs will probably keep Willy lower in the lineup for longer than his play may merit in order to make a point. But I don't think he should expect to join the team midway through the season and simply have his first line wing spot handed back to him.
Leafin'
Well-known member
I don't blame the guy for wanting to get paid. Shitty if it unfolds with him being moved because of greed.
If we are to move him i hope we get a stud piece back. Subban? Pietrangelo?
I don't think guys like Pesce and Manson are good enough. Reeks of Hall for Larsson when you trade a stud offensive player for defense only piece.
If we are to move him i hope we get a stud piece back. Subban? Pietrangelo?
I don't think guys like Pesce and Manson are good enough. Reeks of Hall for Larsson when you trade a stud offensive player for defense only piece.
LeafGm
Well-known member
Getting moved to the "third line" on this team isn't "punishment", in any shape or form.
Not when the "third line center" on this team is a 30-goal/60-point player. If that's where Willy ends up when he's back, I think it'll be less about punishment, and more about Babcock wanting to add some balance to the lineup as well as not break up a combination (Matthews-Kapanen) that's working pretty well at the moment.
Not when the "third line center" on this team is a 30-goal/60-point player. If that's where Willy ends up when he's back, I think it'll be less about punishment, and more about Babcock wanting to add some balance to the lineup as well as not break up a combination (Matthews-Kapanen) that's working pretty well at the moment.