Nylander-for-Wright? Why This Blockbuster Trade Rumor Feels Off

The rumor mill has shifted its focus toward a potential blockbuster involving William Nylander and the Seattle Kraken. It is a mock trade gaining more traction than many originally expected. The idea behind the trade is that the Toronto Maple Leafs move on from Nylander and, in return, receive a massive package centred around Shane Wright.

This has picked up more steam due to how poorly the Maple Leafs have been playing lately, along with the Kraken being looking to move former fourth-overall pick, indicating that the Kraken are officially open to moving Wright in exchange for a legitimate top-six offensive threat.

“The Seattle Kraken are open to moving Shane Wright. I think with what they’ve been looking for previously – a legitimate top-six offensive threat; ideally somebody capable of playing in the top line – the sense that I’m getting is a willingness to move and package up Shane Wright in order to get that.”

So with that, let’s breakdown how unrealistic the trade rumour is.

Breaking Down the Trade Rumour 

From a Maple Leafs perspective, the trade doesn’t make much sense. They would be moving on from a proven 40 goal scorer and a vital piece of their team in Nylander to rebuild around Wright, who has yet to show his true potential at the NHL level. Logically, it does not add up and simply is not realistic.

This is the type of trade that usually happens when a star player is on the way out of an organization and a sign and trade scenario is already in play, similar to the Mitch Marner deal that sent him to the Vegas Golden Knights. In that situation, Toronto received Nicolas Roy and draft capital, but it was not enough to replace Marner’s production. A Nylander trade would follow a similar path, except he still has term left on his contract, which makes the idea even harder to justify.

If the Maple Leafs were seriously considering a franchise altering trade, it is difficult to imagine it involving either Auston Matthews or Nylander. That is especially true when you consider that Nylander was the first of the so called “core four” to commit to playing in Toronto long term. It does not seem logical to assume he is the player looking for a way out of the organization.

Kraken Would Need to Offer Hughes Level Return 

The other issue with this scenario is Seattle as the trade partner. While the Kraken do lack a legitimate goal scorer, they also do not have much that would strongly appeal to the Maple Leafs in a deal of this magnitude. Maybe in a smaller move for a depth player, but not in a blockbuster like this. A realistic offer would likely include Jared McCann, Jamie Oleksiak, Wright, and draft capital.

Realistically, it would need to be closer to the Quinn Hughes return. It would need to include Matty Beniers and one of Brandon Montour or Vince Dunn just to get Toronto to even consider the idea. After that combination, the Kraken would need to part with some draft capital and still likely include Wright in the deal.

It feels like every day there is a new mock trade involving the Maple Leafs that raises eyebrows. The idea that Toronto would trade Nylander to Seattle with Wright as the centerpiece of the return is diabolical, to say the least.

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