Kyle Dubas on getting William Nylander signed: "We always tried to stay optimistic. We had our process and we have a great staff...it wasn't really an emotional experience."
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Kyle Dubas on re-signing Nylander
Photo credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 1, 2018, 19:01 EST
General Manager Dubas gave a brief press availability just hours after he was able to come to a deal to re-sign Nylander.
He was able to discuss some key things within the negotiation and how they value Nylander on this team. But the process of re-signing the forward was not exactly an easy one for both sides.
Not only did the optimism work, but he was able to get Nylander signed long-term. Giving the Leafs a very good player with a manageable cap hit, it’s all about economics now.
More Kyle Dubas: "It's my duty to the organization to put the organization in the best possible spot with all our economics. We hope to always avoid [a standoff], but it's a realistic situation." Said there were "lots" of deals that went back and forth, but he didn't count
To get this deal, Dubas had to negotiate through countless offers and proposals. Hopefully, this process will not take as long and be as painful with the upcoming Restricted Free Agents.
Kyle Dubas on proclamations he could keep #Leafs core together: "I knew people were ready to jam that one down my throat (laughs)...we hope all these guys will be career Leafs. That's our goal, is to keep it together."
Dubas on further core negotiations: "We've had discussions with [Matthews and Marner's agents]. We want to avoid a situation where all our players aren't in training camp. Not [making history] in the way we'd like to [with Nylander deal]."
There has already been some discussion, which is very good and honestly surprising. Even though you want your club to be in the record books, I’m sure Dubas won’t enjoy this NHL record.
If Training Camp is a quasi-deadline that Dubas wants to set, then we might even see both Matthews, Marner, and Kapanen not become RFAs and get new contracts before July 1st. Hopeful thinking, but I’m sure Dubas will now learn from this negotiation with Nylander.
Luckily Dubas is not going to have another big contract to worry about if Nylander had to sit out this season, but they were prepared.
Dubas says the Leafs were prepared to let Nylander sit out the season if a contract wasn't agreed upon. "Anytime you get into something like this, especially when you come into the last day, you think it might be reality."
More from Dubas on Nylander contract coming together: "We got their signed copy of the contract back at 3:52 CT. It was agreed to but there were slight variations that had to be sent there, sent back, and then sent to the NHL."
Whatever it takes to make it work for the team and its future – Dubas said the team was prepared to go without Nylander, since it went so late. Both sides were really cutting it close and down to the minute in negotiations.
For the immediate future, Dubas says that Nylander will need to go through some medical testing and will not rush him into the lineup beforehand.
Dubas says Nylander still has to go through medical testing before he can play. Have to play "long game" with new six-year deal in hand and he won't rush him into game Tuesday at Buffalo or Thursday vs. Detroit
The Leafs upcoming schedule is Tuesday at Buffalo, Thursday at home versus Detroit, and Saturday at Boston – Nylander will most likely make his season debut in one of those three games.
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