Nobody, not least the Minnesota Wild, need to be governed by the parents or agents of their players.
William Nylander, if we’re to believe the media is being governed by his father, Michael Nylander and his agent.
The contract negotiations with the Toronto Maple Leafs have gone on far longer than I think most people expected.
If we believe everything in the media, which I’m always wary to do when we’re talking the Toronto hockey media landscape – the sticking point is as much as $2 million of difference.
That’s not an insignificant amount.
A Sportsnet ‘Big Read’ article points out that even in his draft year, he was viewed as a somewhat risky proposition.
To directly quote that article; ‘there was only one red flag, and it was one that he had no control over: his father.’
Another scout, in that same article is quoted as saying:
"At the end of the day, you have to say that maybe [Michael] was a pain in the ass, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have his kid’s best interests in mind. (Sportsnet.ca)"
It’s really a tough challenge to face. Of course as a young 22-year-old with a limited chance to make as much money as possible, you don’t want to begrudge that he, whether influenced by his father or not, is pushing for as much money as possible.
The Minnesota Wild don’t need these sorts of influences around their team at all; whether he’s at the forefront of this negotiation or even as a background figure.
Too often locker-rooms can be divided by such a presence.
Whilst it’s unfair to say that William Nylander is that presence, it’s a risk I’d be averse to taking as the Minnesota Wild General Manager.