Leafs Insider Sheds Light on William Nylander's Future in Toronto
"William Nylander's Future Appears to Be Settled"
Reports Provide Insight into Possible Nylander Trade
During TSN's 'Leafs Lunch', NHL insider Darren Dreger shed light on Nylander's future with the Toronto Maple Leafs amidst rumors of potential moves.
Dreger indicates that the Leafs seem less inclined towards trading Nylander, choosing instead to maintain their "core four" forwards - Nylander, Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and John Tavares. Among them, Nylander and Marner's contracts are believed to be the most expendable.
Dreger suggests the Leafs are planning to negotiate the contracts of these four forwards, all of whom will be free agents within the next two seasons.
Is a Nylander Trade Still Possible?
The dismissal of Kyle Dubas following a second-round exit in the NHL playoffs to Florida signaled a shift in the Leafs' management. However, it doesn't seem likely that such changes will impact the team's on-ice strategies.
Under Dubas, Toronto was keen on re-signing the upcoming free agents Auston Matthews and William Nylander. It's assumed that the new GM Brad Treliving will aim to do the same.
At 27, Nylander could be the most straightforward move the Leafs could make within their core-four. With a lower $6.9M AAV, it's an easier decision than the other three, all of whom earn over $10M per season.
With career highs in goals and points (40G and 87PTS), Nylander would be a tantalizing and influential top-line option for almost any team in the league. But given the Leafs' already dominant group, there's little doubt they're focused on securing their best players under contract for the foreseeable future.
| POLL | ||
What should the Leafs do about William Nylander? | ||
| Trade him | 206 | 44.9 % |
| Re-sign him | 227 | 49.5 % |
| Let him walk | 26 | 5.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
