Hunter described the issue of getting the Maple Leafs’ trio of young, extension-eligible star forwards—Auston Matthews, Mitchel Marner and Nylander—all inked to long-term deals as a “big, big” challenge.
“It’s easy to always look back at things, but spring was the time,” Hunter said. “It’s tough. He’s got a lot of work to do on those three players.”
Though not directly linked to the Nylander impasse, a conference panel on player analysis that featured Hunter discussed issues of player entitlement and invasive parents. A reporter later raised those subjects in a discussion with Hunter regarding Nylander.
“But he’s a helluva player, too,” Hunter countered. “It’s easy to say it. Everybody says, ‘Trade him!’ Yeah? Trade? What are you going to replace him with? He’s a good player.”
Prior to the stalemate, Nylander — a winger with centre potential — posted consecutive 61-point seasons and had established himself as a dangerous complement to Matthews on the Maple Leafs’ first line.
Yet in two trips to the playoffs, these young, talented Leafs are still on a quest to reach the second round as their entry-level deals expire.
“He’s a top-end player,” Hunter stressed. “Everyone talks about one playoff round, but one playoff round is not going to define a top-end star player like him.”
