Matthews to San Jose and Nylander to Chicago would build the Leafs a young core unlike anything in the NHL
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
If the Maple Leafs want to completely blow things up, they could end up with three top-five picks this year while also bringing excitement back to Toronto.
There's a lot of talk recently about the Toronto Maple Leafs and the direction they want to go. While they haven't indicated they want to go through a full on rebuild, there is a severe retooling that needs to be done starting from the back end and moving up on up the lineup.
They need better puck movement on the blueline, while also making sure Auston Matthews has a great complement though Gavin McKenna would make a pretty good sidekick for the captain to build off of.
Matthews and Nylander are at the forefront of a wild Toronto rebuilding package
But there's also a world where the Toronto Maple Leafs front office really want to make a splash. If Matthews isn't completely 100% committed to the team that could lead to bit more smoke around the trade rumours, though they may not stop there.
One fan on social media has put together an incredibly wild trade package that would see both Nylander and Matthews shipped off for separate hauls however what they get back would be nothing short of a game-changer:
The proposal would see Matthews traded to the San Jose Sharks for a package that includes Michael Misa, the 2nd overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, and prospect Filip Bystedt.
Misa is last year's 2nd overall pick and is slated to be a star in the NHL for years to come, meanwhile Bystadt allows Toronto to find their new centre of the future and bring in yet another Swedish superstar to the lineup.
Nylander's package would see him go help out Connor Bedard while bringing back Sam Rinzel, another 2nd round pick, and the 4th overall pick in 2026. We know Chicago is looking for a top name to complement him, and who better than Nylander; one of the best in the world.
Toronto turns their $25-million duo into four potential elite players in the blink of an eye
That gives the Maple Leafs three top-five picks this season and the chance to draft not only Gavin McKenna but also potentially names like Carson Carels and Chase Reid. It would instantly give Toronto the most exciting young core in the game, and the potential is staggering.
Here is how a potential lineup with the new group could look next season:
Knies - Misa - McKenna
Cowan - Bystedt - Robertson
Joshua - Tavares - Maccelli
Lorentz - Haymes - Domi
Cowan - Bystedt - Robertson
Joshua - Tavares - Maccelli
Lorentz - Haymes - Domi
McCabe - Reid
Carels - Carlo
Rinzel - Ekman-Larsson
Carels - Carlo
Rinzel - Ekman-Larsson
Let's also take a look at the ages of these guys and how drastically it changes the lineup:
- Knies (23)
- Cowan (20)
- McKenna (18)
- Reid (18)
- Carels (17)
- Misa (19)
- Cowan (20)
- McKenna (18)
- Reid (18)
- Carels (17)
- Misa (19)
That's six players who are 25 and under and all who can or will become superstars in the NHL; it's a mind-boggling wealth of talent that would only cost Matthews and Nylander - take that for what you will.
With the Maple Leafs able to get rid of Morgan Rielly and Chris Tanev, it opens up a lot more cap space if they want to splurge on a name like Alex Tuch or Darren Raddysh. With Matthews and Nylander's money freed up too...you could see Connor McDavid here as well soon.
There's no telling what the team could do with the surplus cash and space, plus the excitement from the fanbase over having not one, but four rookie sensations is nothing short of enormous.
While the Maple Leafs would be hard pressed to immediately dump their two top players, it's something that could give them success for the next 10-15 years. If anything, it's at least worth taking a few seconds to think about.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Auston Matthews' unhappiness is only coming from two reporters and Leafs fans should read that very carefully
Auston Matthews' unhappiness is only coming from two reporters and Leafs fans should read that very carefully
Previously on Hockey Patrol
| POLL | ||
1 HOUR AGO|79 ANSWERS Matthews to San Jose and Nylander to Chicago would build the Leafs a young core unlike anything in the NHL Would you trade both William Nylander and Auston Matthews for a chance to rebuild the Maple Leafs? | ||