Rumor: Maple Leafs to trade William Nylander, 3 potential targets
The Toronto Maple Leafs will have to ship some players out, regardless of where they finish in the 2019/2020 playoffs. With a surprise flat salary cap, the Leafs are in one of the worst financial positions of any team in the league. With huge potential holes on their back-end, the Leafs will have to trade from their forward depth to plug their roster gaps on defense. Introducing today's trade bait and Leafs Nation may be thrilled about this one, ladies and gentlemen, William Nylander.
When Nylander held out for a new contract a couple of years ago, he spent his time overseas skating with a junior team and working out way too much. As per Auston Matthews, Nylander came back roughly 20 pounds heavier of solid muscle and it did nothing for his game. He was too slow and given that he had missed a couple of months, Nylander was a step behind the entire season. This year, Nylander has managed a great season with 31 goals, and 59 points in 68 games. However, with only 3 goals in 22 playoff games and a slow start against Columbus, where Nylander has looked checked-out at times, the Leafs are likely to be moving on from Nylander this off season.
The intriguing part is, Nylander doesn't have trade protection until 2023 and has already been paid almost half of his $45 million dollar contract in the first two years, making the 4 years left on his contract much easier to move.
Here's a few names the Maple Leafs have circled if they decide to send Nylander packing:
Jacob Trouba: While the Leafs wouldn't be saving money acquiring Trouba, he's exactly what the team needs. The Rangers have Adam Fox and Tony DeAngelo on their right-side, so if the Leafs were to parlay Nylander with Timothy Liljegren, perhaps the Rangers listen and don't hang up immediately like you would expect. Reminder, the Rangers have no interest in moving Trouba before his NMC kicks in, but the Leafs are going to do whatever they can to convince them otherwise.
John Klinberg: With the Dallas Stars having the likes of Miro Heiskanen and Esa Lindell to build their d-core around, Klinberg could be moved for a top-6 forward. A one-for-one may be a tough sell for the Stars, however stranger things have happened, just ask Oilers fans. Klinberg is the perfect fit for the Leafs and Nylander could excel in Texas, where the media scrutiny wouldn't come close to the fish bowl in Toronto. The Stars have cap space this summer, these two teams are two to keep your eye on.
Damon Severson: A name not familiar to most, Severson quietly has played almost 450 NHL games and is only 25, soon-to-be 26 years old. A right-shot and potential to reach 45-50 points, Severson is the perfect fit for the Maple Leafs. This deal for the Devils also makes a ton of sense. Nylander would give them a scoring winger to pair with either Jack Hughes or Nico Hischier. Nylander just turned 24 and fits in to the rebuild for Jersey, who also could have three first-round picks this upcoming draft. While some would ask the Leafs to trade for PK Subban instead, considering the Devils are willing to eat some of his huge salary, Severson is the better fit for Toronto.
William Nylander has recently admitted his coach needs to kick him in the ass sometimes to get him going. While that act can get tired quickly, especially making almost $7 million, the Leafs have no choice to explore the trade market this upcoming off season. Nylander is either loved or hated by members of Leafs Nation, there is no in between. His work ethic has been questioned since day one of his arrival in the Big Smoke.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are in line to make some trades this off season. Will William Nylander be the first to go? There's certainly a chance that's the case.
Photo credit: Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire
Post a Comment