The Toronto Maple Leafs are facing a critical decision about re-signing star player William Nylander. In a recent interview on TSN, Jim Tatti and Dave Feschuk were joined by TSN Hockey and Buffalo Sabres analyst Martin Biron to discuss Nylander’s future in Toronto.
In the interview, which you can hear by following the link above, Biron talks about why, if he were in Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving’s position, he’d look to trade Nylander.
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Reasons Why Biron Believes Nylander Should Be Traded
In this post, I’ll share the reasons Biron thinks trading Nylander would be a sensible option for the Maple Leafs.
Reason One: A Trade Would Help Solve the Team’s Salary Cap Concerns
The Maple Leafs have a roster featuring top-tier talent, including Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews, Morgan Rielly, and Nylander. Retaining all these star players at their market value is an expensive proposition. It could put a significant strain on the team’s salary cap.
Biron believes that trading Nylander would free up valuable cap space. It would allow the team to address other roster needs and ensure a balanced and competitive lineup.
Reason Two: A Trade Could Bring a High Return
Biron notes that, because Nylander is nearing the end of his contract, his trade value is likely to be at its peak. A team getting him would have the option to extend him for an 8-year deal. That should increase his value in the trade market.
A trade could also open up the possibility of receiving valuable assets in return. These might include promising prospects or high draft picks, which could help with the team’s future depth and talent.
Reason Three: A Trade Could Help Strengthening the Team’s Defense
The Maple Leafs’ defense has been an area of concern. Biron believes that trading Nylander could help the team acquire a solid defenseman signed to a more affordable contract. This move would address a key roster need. It would also bring a much-needed physical edge to their blue line.
Related: Six Worries Maple Leafs Have about Signing William Nylander
Reason Four: A Trade Could Aid the Team’s Roster Flexibility
Trading Nylander would provide the team with more flexibility in building a roster that complements the strengths of its other core players. The team could add players with different skill sets, such as grit and defensive prowess, to create a more well-rounded and resilient team.
Reason Five: Managing Long-term Financial Stability
By trading Nylander, the Maple Leafs could avoid being tied to a long and expensive contract. That, Biron believes, might become problematic in the future. Trading him would allow the team to maintain financial flexibility and make adjustments as needed in response to the evolving NHL landscape.
Reason Six: A Trade Could Alleviate Nylander’s History of Contract Negotiations
Nylander’s past contract negotiations have shown that he is willing to play hardball to secure a fair deal. Given his history, there might be concerns about how future contract discussions will play out. By trading him, it would help eliminate the uncertainty of the team’s long-term planning.
The Bottom Line
According to Biron, it’s evident that trading Nylander presents several advantages for the Maple Leafs. However, he does acknowledge the difficulty of parting ways with a player of his caliber.
Any trade would require careful consideration and strategic planning. The biggest concern is the team’s long-term goals and aspirations. If done thoughtfully, trading Nylander could strengthen the Maple Leafs’ position in terms of its salary-cap management and roster construction.
According to Biron, trading Nylander would help position the team for continued success.
Related: Does Maple Leafs Marner Value Big Payday Over Stanley Cup?
gfinale
July 15, 2023 at 5:48 pm
The Leafs could just as easily trade the picks and prospects they got to acquire what they’re needing. I don’t know why so many put a single trade in a vacuum like no other trades are allowed after it!
gfinale
July 15, 2023 at 5:54 pm
Agree with most of this. Nylander does NOT secure a fair deal, he tries to secure every dime he can get!
Yogi
July 15, 2023 at 7:50 pm
If you`re calling Nylander greedy, then what`s Marner and Matthews. Nylander`s last contract turned out to be a bargain. The only reason it went to the deadline was the idiot Dubas. Nylander signed a contract on Dec. 1st that was almost exactly the same as July 1st asking price, which turned out to be a bargain. You can`t say at any time Nylander was overpaid, especially compared to Marner and Matthews contracts.. Trading Nylander will not make the leafs a better team because a no.1 Dman will cost as much if not more in cap space and then you have to replace Nylander, who`s been a better playoff performer than either Marner or Matthews. The guy who wrote this article is a hack who knows absolutely zilch and you agree with him
gfinale
July 16, 2023 at 5:41 am
Marner is the same imo. How something turns out does not prove anything about what should have been done at the time the decision is made. Nylander had his issues and his potential was viewed as less back at that time. If you were around then, you should know that as it was all over the news and everywhere for many months what he was valued at and who he was compared with.. Who said a number 1 defenseman? The defense could be improved though by better 3rd or 2nd pairing that fills in the areas they are deficient in. Matthews took less last time than people thought he could get. He didn’t push it, quietly signing ahead of time. I do think he’s overpriced and shouldn’t get a raise at all until there is more success in the playoffs. If he understands that then he should just extend his current contract, like a bridge or show me deal for 1-2 years at the same price. How about seeing more than lip service from these guys for a change?!
Roy James Peters
July 15, 2023 at 10:21 pm
This article is useless according to Biron if you trade Nylander it helps with salary cap, wrong the player’s you have to get would eat that savings up right away. The idea that Nylander could walk after this season is right, just think how hard he is going to play so he gets maximum contract for 2024 to 2025. The D man idea any decent Dman you get will be at same salary and would be on a expiring contract, and then the leafs are in same place. The only logical thing to do is negotiate with Nylander top load a long term contract so he gets paid and the cap is spread out over a long term of 8 years.
afp1961
July 16, 2023 at 6:37 am
Agree with most of what Biron stated. The obvious other detail that no one seems to want to raise is BREAKING UP THE CORE FOUR. The sense of entitlement would be broken and when Marners deal comes up he better be prepared and ready that Treliving did not draft him or he is not his Dubasite buddy, but he is his boss and does evaluate based on performance.
All this is qualified of course based upon what the buds get in return. If the buds could get Pesce & Necas for Nylander and Timmins (or a 3rd) than the team depth would be changed and a second move to go get a Matt Dumba type would make the overall move and team look that much better.
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