NHL Analyst Proposes Blockbuster William Nylander Trade That Could Reshape Maple Leafs
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Former NHL goaltender and current analyst Darren Pang had a stunning blockbuster proposal involving William Nylander as the offseason speculation heats up.
With all the chatter surrounding Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and Matthew Knies due to their contract situation, William Nylander is sitting comfortable after a long extension, and primed to lead the Leafs for years to come.
It would be a bit unfathomable to think of parting with him at any point, and his 45-goal season could lead into ones of 50+; and Toronto having two 50-goal scorers potentially is an incredible feat.
Toronto Trades William Nylander For More Balance: Darren Pang
But if you're former NHL goaltender and current analyst Darren Pang however, you might think of making a monstrous deal involving the Swedish superstar:
For me, the way Chief [Berube] coaches. The big move is Willy Nylander. I know I said he needs to have a big game last time we talked, but there's a style of play that isn't working.
Marner gets a lot of heat, but he plays a much better two-way game. Nylander gets a lot of credit; he's a great skater, gets open, gets opportunities.
Wanna blow things up? Move one player out to get two players back. Other managers have done that, lacking some depth; you might not have John Tavares and won't have Mitch Marner.
You're handing the keys over to Matthews and Nylander; you don't know about Knies yet. What happens if there's no Matthew Knies, or Marner or Tavares? They are big if's but they are probable if's.
Marner gets a lot of heat, but he plays a much better two-way game. Nylander gets a lot of credit; he's a great skater, gets open, gets opportunities.
Wanna blow things up? Move one player out to get two players back. Other managers have done that, lacking some depth; you might not have John Tavares and won't have Mitch Marner.
You're handing the keys over to Matthews and Nylander; you don't know about Knies yet. What happens if there's no Matthew Knies, or Marner or Tavares? They are big if's but they are probable if's.
Pang then spoke about St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong's savvy moves over the years where he cut his losses a bit in order to bring in the right fit for the team:
You gotta make the moves that Doug Armstrong made a few years ago. He got Ryan O'Reilly at 27 years old; he gave up Tage Thompson who ended up being a really good player, but he was a late draft pick.
He gave up a little bit and a first rounder and got Brayden Schenn at 26. Maybe this is the time for Brad Treliving to knock on a few doors and get one player for two or three.
Make a wholesale change, that shows it's his hockey club and not anybody else's. This is the time to make those moves.
You signed a coach long term who loves to be here, loves Toronto and he's gotta work with him to find the players to work with him and continue to advance this team. They had a heck of a year.
He gave up a little bit and a first rounder and got Brayden Schenn at 26. Maybe this is the time for Brad Treliving to knock on a few doors and get one player for two or three.
Make a wholesale change, that shows it's his hockey club and not anybody else's. This is the time to make those moves.
You signed a coach long term who loves to be here, loves Toronto and he's gotta work with him to find the players to work with him and continue to advance this team. They had a heck of a year.
It's a striking proposition, and it didn't make many fans happy with the notion, considering how good he's been.
But would a trade involving Nylander actually benefit Toronto down the line?
Toronto Shouldn't Trade William Nylander; Just Give Him A Chance To Improve
With Nylander not being the strongest defender, and his head coach stressing a need for two-way play, it seems like trading him might work out.
But you're also trading away one of your best, most consistent and dynamic scorers from a team that is anemic when it comes to goals.
Instead of jumping to a trade, how's about you sit down with Nylander and stress the importance of a better two-way game (especially with Marner's departure) and give him more to work with to improve?
Nylander has scored 159 goals over his last four seasons, and whether it was just not getting familiar with Berube's insistence on defense; he's been solid there regardless.
His possession numbers have always been good, minus for this season, and there may have been some underlying causes for his offensive-forward mindset.
It might be pressure from fans, or trying to compensate for Auston Matthews' struggles, but whatever stats show his lack of defense this season underlies the positives for the last 8 years.
With a bit of extra work with Berube and Player Development (Jake Muzzin is a huge addition to help defensively) as well as learning from guys like Scott Laughton who can teach him how to better defend up front.
All hope is not lost for William Nylander and the Leafs, and Pang's proposal would certainly shake things up.
But it would also cause Toronto to tumble, and they might not be able to fight their way back up.
| POLL | ||
MAI 28 | 522 ANSWERS NHL Analyst Proposes Blockbuster William Nylander Trade That Could Reshape Maple Leafs Would you trade William Nylander? | ||
| Yes!!! We need change! | 182 | 34.9 % |
| No!!! Are you crazy?!! | 340 | 65.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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