William Nylander plans to stay with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
With one caveat.
The veteran winger told The Athletic in an interview published on Thursday that he was not interested in seeing through a full rebuild.
"Then it's a different story. Then you take the conversation then," Nylander said. "But just to do a retool or whatever, I don't even know, but I mean, I still want to be here, yeah."
Nylander, 29, is under contract for six more years through the 2031-32 season at $11.5 million annually.
NHL analyst Justin Bourne joins the JD Bunkis Podcast to discuss an important off-season for the Maple Leafs, and debate whether they think they can retool fast enough to be playoff or even Cup contenders next season.
He has enjoyed a strong season amid injuries, registering 26 goals and 45 assists in 58 games. However, the Maple Leafs have struggled and are expected to miss the playoffs for the first time since Nylander's rookie season in 2016.
The fall from contention led to the firing of general manager Brad Treliving on Monday. A day later, MLSE president Keith Pelley said he preferred the retool route, citing "foundational pieces" including Nylander.
Nylander told The Athletic that he had a "good conversation" with Treliving about the team's direction before he was let go.
"Brad said that he doesn't want to rebuild or anything. He just wants to retool and stuff. That sounded fine for me," Nylander said.
The Swede also added that he hasn't thought about what he might do should captain Auston Matthews — who has just two years left on his contract — ask out of Toronto.
"Once they just told me (rebuilding is) not what they want to do — like, try to keep winning here or try to start winning (Stanley Cups)," he said.
"If that point in time comes, then I'll think about that then."
The Maple Leafs return to action Thursday with the third stop of a four-game road trip as they take on Macklin Celebrini and the San Jose Sharks.
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