The Toronto Maple Leafs opened the 2018-19 season with a 3-2 overtime victory over the Montreal Canadiens. One player notably absent was up-and-coming star winger William Nylander as the 22-year-old missed the game due to ongoing contract negotiations.
Nylander spoke with the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, where he admitted he is more worried about the long-term than the short-term.
“Right now, I do not know more than all the rest of you,” Nylander told Aftonbladet. “I have not received any messages and have no contact with Toronto. It’s my agent who takes care of everything.”
“In the end I have to take care of myself and do what I and my agent thinks is right. Especially if it’s about several years to come. I need to think long term. It’s my own future it’s about.”