Ho-hum... Willy got paid

After spending time trying to rationalize Willy's new deal, I did what any sensible person would do in a time like this. I asked ChatGPT if William Nylander was worth the money...

At the time I posed the question, Chat GPT wasn't aware Willy had inked a new deal.

Pffft. Thanks artificial intelligence.

Anyone who reads this has more than likely spent some time today scrolling through X or reading the latest on The Athletic regarding the new deal. The no movement clause, the bonus structure. Yep, we get it. Willy got a hell of a lot of money and he's going to remain with the Leafs for a long time.

We can debate until the cows come home on whether it's too much money but I don't want to... I'd rather shrug it off just like Willy shrugs off the pressure of playing in a Toronto market.

Because for the longest time, I was one of the many who called for 88 to get dealt. After the first round loss to Tampa a couple seasons ago, I was adamant it was time for the Leafs to shift their focus. I felt after another blown lead in Game 6, followed by a loss on home ice in Game 7 that it was time for management to balance this roster out a bit more. A Nylander package for a top 4 blueliner, plus, etc. could really give this club a different look, feel and, in my opinion at the time, a better shot at winning it all. Even though at the time, Nylander was coming off a regular season in which he had become practically a point-per-game player for the first time in his career during the regular season and he'd later follow that up with eight points in seven playoff games.

Not too shabby.

Then last year happened and Willy really started to grow up. You started to see less lapses in his overall game and the consistency started to really show. A 40-goal campaign in the regular season to go along with 10 points in 11 playoff games. The Leafs also finally won a playoff round.

For the Leafs, baby steps. For Willy: continued improvement.

This year? Well... according to Nick Richard he's on pace for the second-highest scoring season in Leafs franchise history. Yes, it's a contract year, so of course, there are detractors out there who think this season is a one-off.

But Willy doesn't think it's a one-off. His confidence is unwavering. Just ask Leafs captain John Tavares.

"I don't know if I've ever met anyone who has the confidence like him (Nylander). I mean that in the best way possible."

Of course, expectations will be higher for him. But does anyone really think the pressure will affect Nylander's game AT ALL?

I don't. Instead I'm just going to shrug off all this contract stuff just like Willy. He thinks he'll do just fine and maybe, just maybe, we should believe him.