TORONTO -- Dominic Moore’s Smashfest Charity Ping-Pong Tournament was once again was a rousing success. The event, founded in 2012 to support rare cancer and concussion research, has raised $665,000 in its existence and drew a large number of NHLer’s on Wednesday -- including Sam Gagner, Patrick Eaves, Brandon Montour, Nick Ritchie, Jeff Skinner, Dylan Strome, and Toronto Maple Leafs teammates William Nylander, Mitch Marner, Connor Brown, Travis Dermott, Zach Hyman, Josh Leivo and Hall of Famer Doug Gilmour.
While the focus of the evening was raising money and the friendly-but- competitive tournament ultimately won by Eaves for the fourth straight year, the contract status of two of the Toronto’s big three (Nylander, Marner and Auston Matthews) hung over the proceedings.
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Nylander, sporting a full beard that he might keep depending on if new Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas wants to stay true to the facial hair guidelines set forth by former GM Lou Lamoriello, said that negotiations between the club and agent Lewis Gross are ongoing.
“Nothing (in terms of progress) since Zach (Hyman’s) golf tournament. It’s going slow, that’s what Kyle wants. Any questions, you can direct back to Kyle.” Nylander said. “Of course, I want a long term deal.”
@sportingnewsca A fully bearded William Nylander at Dominic Moore's Smashfest benefit ping-pong tournament on Wed. The RFA had no progress to report on a new deal but did say he would prefer a long-term contract over a shorter bridge deal. #Leafs pic.twitter.com/DpoODy97VP
— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) August 2, 2018
The 22-year-old restricted free agent is coming off consecutive 61-point seasons playing mostly on the right side of Matthews. On a long-term deal, Nylander would likely seek something close to the six-year, $40 Million contract that fellow 2014 first rounder David Pastrnak got from Boston last summer. Dubas, though, has been steadfast in remaining patient in contract negotiations, which means they could extend into September and into training camp.
“We’ve got lots of time and patience to work with that. There is no real end date for (getting a deal done) in my mind, we’ll just keep working towards (an agreement)," Dubas said just prior to the NHL Draft in Dallas. “William is an important part of what we do here."
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Marner (who participated in Smashfest, but did not talk to the media) has been the most low-key regarding a new deal. The 21-year-old led the Leafs in regular season and playoff scoring, and became eligible to sign an extension on July 1, However, the prospect of playing with a line with John Tavares and putting up big numbers in the final year of his entry-level contract suits him just fine, as well.
“I’m kinda staying out of it, letting Kyle and my agent talk about it. If something get done, then something gets done. If not, it’s just another hockey season.” Marner told Sportsnet’s Luke Fox last week. "I want to play for this team for a long time. But saying that, I’ll just let those two talk. I’ll stay in the background and keep working.”
Matthews revealed late last month that the Leafs and agent Judd Moldaver have begun talks on a new deal, but there is no indication if the structure of the deal will be similar to the eight-year extensions that Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel signed in 2017 or shorter term contracts signed by Tavares, Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane out of their ELC’s that allowed them to still be in his prime when their deals expired.