TOR won't accept and Tampa can't afford.

Double NO

Really? Tampa can afford it, barely, but it is possible. And getting a top pair shurdown D-man until Lilgren is ready next year plus a 65 point left wing is about as good as you're going to get. Gourde's left wing ability makes him the top first line left wing candidate and they can't get that or the same production out of Nylander. He'd have to play third line in Toronto. What would Tampa have to do to sweeten the offer?

A Nylander trade without including Kucherov or Hedman? Leafs say NO

Girardi is not a top par d man not even close. When Nylander signs there is no way he is on 3rd line. Gourde is a very nice piece, but he is not close to Nylnder value.

hence your name of "completely _realistic_leaf_fan" -- i like the sarcasm

you sir are high on something if you think nylander has remotely close to the value of either of those players.

In a longer scale, no, TB can't afford Nylander. They have to re-sign players like Point and Sergachev, and also Vasilevskiy in a couple of years. Add Kucherov's mega contract, and no, you cannot afford Nylander.