Since entering the National Hockey League in 2016, Nylander has scored 48 goals and 87 assists in 185 games. He's a big part of this team.
Nylander's offensive production in his first three seasons was almost identical to Draisaitl's but the two players have different roles on their respective teams and one could argue Draisaitl is a more versatile player so Leafs weren't willing to pay that amount for Nylander. "Hopefully, he gets us on a run here".
He had to sign with the Maple Leafs by Saturday in order to be eligible to play this season.
"If he's here after December 1st, we will be very lucky, very happy and move on with him".
With one talented forward now back in the fold, adding yet another high-end offensive piece has the Leafs excited for a few reasons.
Saturday was just the third-ever victory for the Maple Leafs in 10 games at Xcel Energy Center.
Fans and the media aren't the only ones ready for this whole Nylander contract thing to be resolved.
"A couple guys came early and we were kind of all sitting here, [Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock] popped out of the office and said, 'We signed him, '" Marner said.
"I've said it many times: I'm just hopeful Willie is going to be in our lineup starting whenever he gets over here and gets signed today and get it all worked out", Babcock said.
"High skill, I think he can control the play", Leafs forward Patrick Marleau said.
"It's great news. We hope to get him here as soon as possible, " Matthews said after Toronto's 5-3 win over Minnesota on Saturday night.
His teammates have been, and still are, suffering though the non-stop questions and speculation surrounding the highly-publicized negotiation between the Maple Leafs and the 22-year-old's camp as the RFA signing deadline looms.
Nylander is coming off back-to-back 61-point seasons, including a 2017-18 campaign that saw him score 20 goals and add 41 assists.
"When he does get back here it's going make us even deadlier". Mitch Marner and Travis Dermott each added two assists.
The Maple Leafs selected Nylander with the No. 8 overall pick in 2014.