The NHL rumor mill continues to spin around some of the league’s biggest names, and one contract still setting the tone for negotiations is William Nylander’s $92 million deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Signed in January 2024, the eight-year contract carries an $11.5 million annual cap hit and keeps Nylander under team control until the summer of 2032.
Now, as several top stars approach free agency, Nylander’s agreement is being cited as a benchmark in ongoing talks across the league.
Is William Nylander’s $92 Million Deal Setting the Market for NHL Stars?
The deal remains relevant because it represents a balance between term, value, and timing.
As The Athletic’s analyst Pierre LeBrun put it, “William Nylander’s deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs, which pays him $11.5 million per season and was signed in January 2024, is probably in the conversation here, given where the salary cap is going.”
Agents and executives reportedly reference it while evaluating where their clients fit, especially as players like Connor McDavid, Kirill Kaprizov, and Jack Eichel approach their own decisions.
Nylander’s production has made the contract defensible for Toronto.
The 29-year-old posted 45 goals and 84 points in 82 games in the 2024 season, showing once again why he commands top-line money. His deal not only rewarded performance but also locked in cost certainty during a period of cap growth. That structure is now influencing negotiations for others, including Los Angeles Kings forward Adrian Kempe.
The Ripple Effect of Nylander’s Long-Term Extension on Kempe
Kempe is entering the final year of his four-year, $22 million pact and is believed to be seeking an extension in the $10 to $11 million range.
Kempe recently broke his silence on the negotiations, revealing that he’s interested in getting a deal done but isn’t feeling pressured to rush. “I would like to get it done as soon as possible, but I don’t want to rush anything… before Christmas would be great, before camp would be great,” he said.
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He has voiced a clear desire to remain in Los Angeles. He’s cited family comfort and being part of the team’s longer-term vision as reasons he’s staying patient.
According to insiders, both sides are talking, but there’s still a gap. The Kings have limited space today, but with Anze Kopitar retiring after this season, more than $7 million will come off the books.
In that context, Nylander’s $92 million contract has been used as a reference point, a reminder that top forwards with consistent scoring ability command high-end salaries with a term attached.
The broader free agent picture underscores why Nylander’s deal matters. Players such as McDavid and Kaprizov are in unique situations. However, Nylander’s agreement serves as a realistic model for second-tier stars, those not considered the very top of the league but still highly valuable.
Teams know the number, agents see the number, and negotiations often start from there. With more high-profile names set to hit the market, expect Nylander’s deal to remain in the conversation until the next big contract resets expectations once again.
