William Nylander was discussed at the trade deadline and the Maple Leafs rebuild is no longer a question
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs held talks around trading William Nylander, according to a new report from Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos.
Having previously linked Matthew Knies to being a potential exit from the Leafs at the trade deadline, Nick Kypreos is now reporting that William Nylander was also being discussed as a potential trade target.
Kypreos' reporting on Nylander has not been verified by any other outlet or insider. Elliotte Friedman dismissed the reporting on Knies, and said during the deadline that Nylander was not being dealt by Toronto.
If Nylander was being discussed by Toronto, all indications from other reports would indicate the Leafs were not seriously considering trading the winger, but at least was hearing out the market.
Brad Treliving opened a door on William Nylander's future
In a season that has strayed far from the plans of Leafs GM Brad Treliving, the idea of trading a player like William Nylander may be more serious than let on.
Even if Nylander was not for sale, the reporting from Kypreos lends the idea that Toronto is quietly setting up an understanding of what Nylander's price may be on the trade market.
Toronto, having lost eight consecutive games in one of their worst losing streaks in franchise history, are at least making sure of what a Nylander trade may return, even if the goal is to keep him as a Leaf.
The Leafs sit last in the Atlantic Division with 65 points, closer to competing for a top-five pick than a wild card spot.
Kypreos reported that even if Nylander is staying in Toronto, he isn't as «untouchable» as a trade chip as he was when the Leafs were winning.
William Nylander doesn't move unless the rebuild is real
William Nylander would not be dealt by the Toronto Maple Leafs unless a rebuild was on, not a soft retooling or to change the locker room, it'd need to be a full identity shift.
If Nylander were traded by Toronto, they'd be giving up their leading point getter in Nylander, who has 60 points in 48 games this season, along with 22 goals.
It's why a deal involving Nylander would be hard to believe, because the Leafs may be having a challenging season, but one dire enough to deal their best performing player? Toronto is too talented right now to go in that direction.
It'd be one thing if the Leafs were led by an aging core that wasn't performing needing youth, but Toronto's top players, including Nylander, are in their prime. The same goes for Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies.
Yes, Toronto has some aging players beginning a slight decline in John Tavares and Morgan Rielly, but realistically it would be one of them who goes first rather than Nylander being the one on the table.
Moving Nylander would take his $11.5M contract off the books, but is it worth dealing him for contract relief? And does it risk a repeat of the Matthew Tkachuk for Jonathan Huberdeau trade, one also made by Brad Treliving?
Nylander's own words say more than the rumors themselves
William Nylander's own comments say more on the Leafs situation than the rumors do.
Having been asked about the Leafs season being that of a one-off year and not where the team is at now, pausing before saying «I sure hope that's the case, otherwise, yeah».
It's the phrase that Leafs fans do not want to hear, Nylander entertaining the idea of leaving if Toronto suffers a similar fate next season.
It wouldn't be a surprise if the conversation picks up about Nylander and Matthews potentially asking for a trade if the Leafs are outside of the playoff race next season.
The risk of William Nylander on his way out is higher than it's ever been, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been set the need for next season to be much more improved, or it could break the team up entirely.
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Auston Matthews has full veto power over any trade and these are the only teams he'd realistically waive for
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| POLL | ||
MARS 12|893 ANSWERS William Nylander was discussed at the trade deadline and the Maple Leafs rebuild is no longer a question Is William Nylander being traded realistic? | ||
| Yes | 339 | 38 % |
| No | 554 | 62 % |
| List of polls | ||