Insider Doesn’t Rule Out Maple Leafs Offseason William Nylander Trade

The Toronto Maple Leafs are sputtering out of control, and a nightmare 0-4-1 five-game homestand has seen their already slim playoff hopes all but slip away, barring a drastic turnaround. As of January 28, MoneyPuck has the Maple Leafs’ playoff odds down to just 4.5%, increasing the possibility of a team that’s been a postseason lock for nearly a decade suddenly turning into a seller ahead of the March 6 trade deadline.

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Pending UFAs such as Bobby McMann, Scott Laughton, and even Troy Stecher will draw plenty of attention, but if Toronto truly wants to make a significant change, could it involve a core piece like William Nylander? That certainly won’t be happening in the next six weeks, however, TSN insider Darren Dreger recently raised the topic on OverDrive and seemed to hint that it could at least be explored this summer.

When discussing who might be considered off-limits in Toronto, Dreger brought up Nylander, and when the idea of an offseason trade surfaced, he didn’t shut it down.

Dreger said:

“What about Willy? No-move clause.”

Bryan Hayes said:

“Willy, possibly. Maybe you trade him, and maybe that’s a conversation you need to have to really spark something different.”

Dreger responded:

“In the offseason, yep.”

The 29-year-old Nylander is in year two of the eight-year, $92 million extension he signed with the Maple Leafs in 2024, which includes a full no-movement clause for the duration of the deal. Despite having played in just 37 games, he still leads Toronto in scoring with 48 points (17 goals, 31 assists) on the season.

Should the Maple Leafs Trade William Nylander?

There’s no easy answer to a decision of this magnitude, and it ultimately comes down to the direction of the franchise. If the Maple Leafs remain committed to winning with Auston Matthews and Nylander leading the way, trading him makes little to no sense. On the other hand, if they believe things have gone stale and a major shake-up is necessary, then it’s a conversation that has to be had.

Nylander is no stranger to being in and out of the rumor mill, though it’s been a long time since a move felt even remotely realistic. That said, if the Maple Leafs miss the playoffs — which they appear poised to do — then all bets are off in Toronto.

Not to mention, who’s going to be making the decisions? GM Brad Treliving’s seat has gotten quite hot this year, and it’s become difficult to envision him surviving such a lost season.

All of that will need to be sorted out before the organization can shift to the thought of exploring a Nylander trade. The Maple Leafs very well may not like what they’re offered, even if they do gauge the market. That said, they could also stumble into a deal that brings back multiple impactful pieces and provides this franchise the jolt it’s needed for years now.

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