Rumor: Insider Reveals Original Six Team Major Plan To Snatch William Nylander

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Graham Montgomery
November 13, 2023 (9:05 PM)

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The Blackhawks rebuild has suddenly found itself ahead of schedule after the team landed Connor Bedard at last year's draft. The 1st overall rookie sensation has lit up the league so far, leading the Blackhawks from the very bottom of the standings to a somewhat respectable record, especially considering their schedule to start the year. Now the team could be poised to make a massive move.

Blackhawks To Pursue Nylander In Free Agency?

ESPN analyst John Buccigross turned heads recently when he suggested the Hawks might target and sign pending UFA William Nylander this summer. The Leafs already have a tough cap situation as it is, and with Nylander putting up a career-best start to his season, he may very well price himself out of Canada's largest city.

Nylander Fits Blackhawks Stanley Cup Window

As of right now, the Blackhawks are estimated to have about 51 million in cap space for next season. While the team only has ten players signed for next season, most of their pending UFAs are aging veterans who do not figure to be part of the long-term solution in Chicago. As such, the team can feel free to use their cap space on free agents such as Nylander. Fans have already taken to social media in support of the idea.

Nylander is just 27. While the Hawks may not be a playoff team for another year or two, he should still fit their timeline perfectly. He could be one of the older veterans with playoff experience to help the younger guys like Bedard navigate their first playoff runs. His experience and leadership qualities would be of extra value to the young Blackhawks team.

If William continues to dominate the league, he may demand a salary of over $12 million, and the Blackhawks could be the only team capable of offering him that.

As seen on NHL Insider Leaks a Major Plan For The Blackhawks to Sign William Nylander