Yeah you pretty much said it: we don't have the cap space for a hockey trade. Also doesn't make a ton of sense to trade a player that could sign long-term for a player under contract for only 2 more years. I've wanted Nylander on the Wild for many years, just don't think it's feasible anymore when we have $13M in dead cap space.

My only comment on this is IF Nylander is to be traded, TML need a goaltender and/or defenceman which have good cap numbers

Which is really too bad, would be an awesome trade to track in the future to see how it plays out

More often than not, Leafs will probably lose a Nylander deal. But this needs to be Dubas' masterpiece.

Nylander and Rust could be something that can be worked put if Rust isnt resigning

Jets Decline
Not even close

Nylander for Gibson could be close Toronto would likely have to sweeten the deal a little bit

If the goal is to move on from Nylander and clear a little extra cap space, then strike off Rust, Keller, Boeser, Bratt, and Fiala - I would be shocked if any of them comes back with a lower cap hit than Nylander's $6.9M.

DeBrincat seems like a non-starter since it doesn't make sense for Chicago to make that move as a rebuilding team.

Konecny seems like a major downgrade and Philly would have to add - again, not sure if they would want that type of deal as a rebuilder.

Teravainen would probably be a 1-for-1 but not sure if the Canes have the cap space to do it - or if they even feel the need to move Turbo. I think the same would go for Ehlers.

That leaves Meier and Bertuzzi - I think Meier is a fair target, but you run into the problem of sacrificing a year of control to save $900K - Meier is an RFA at the end of next year and probably comes in higher than Nylander's deal if he keeps playing the way he has.

Bertuzzi is a similar problem - a year less of control, but offset by the fact that you maybe get him re-signed around the $7M mark and save a few bucks for at least one year. I think Detroit would consider this one, since Nylander is a little bit younger and might fit into their timeline a little better, but I think Toronto has to add to pry Bertuzzi out of Detroit.


At the end of the day, I think the more likely move is swapping Nylander out for multiple pieces - maybe take back a less prolific winger on a cheaper deal while also picking up a goalie or a defensemen to plug one of those holes. If you can do that while shedding some cap hit, I think you've hit on a pretty good deal for him.

Lol, trading a free agent for Nylander would be the greatest heist in Penguins history.

Not even close for Debrincat

Ya i'd agree and probably he won't end up getting traded but just fun to speculate

Ya it is probably hard to win a Nylander trade, would be hard to know how other teams value him with some inconsistency's. Which makes me think that it would be more for someone like Bertuzzi, Teravainin, or Bratt somebody that likely is a step down offensively from Nylander

Ya would be very interesting, Rust would be a little more complete of a player that could potentially work well with Tavares

Okay not even close is a pretty biased statement. Nylander has higher offensive production than Ehlers but has been playing consistently with better linemates/powerplay production. And Ehlers is definitely more complete of a player but would be a pretty close comparable player.

Ya that one would be interesting. My only concern from Toronto's perspective is what to do with the second line then. Who knows if they can resign Micheyev and tbh he's more of a complimentary guy on a second line rather than a second line driver. But would be awesome to see the leafs get consistently elite goaltending

Yes those are all very good points. Likely why a one for one (or close to it) hockey trades are so rare just because of how many variables are in play. From Toronto's perspective I think the internal debate would be whether they should target quantity or quality if they did move out Nylander. Whether it would be better to bring back 1 6.5 million dollar second liner or 2 3 million ish third/second liners and have a more complete team. Would be interesting if it ever did happen

First of all, Turbo isn’t going 1 for 1 for Nylander. Turbo might not have as much offense as Nylander, but Turbo is also so much better defensively, as well as not being a defensive turnstile. Plus, with him being cheaper, Canes can make more moves, which for a cap team, flexibility is crucial. So Canes reject instantly there.

Probably a tough take for many to hear, but I think Keller is better than Nylander. Just looking at the rosters and the lines each team ices, Keller doesn’t have the teammates to prop up his numbers, but with higher quality linemates, he would be so much more dominant. Plus, 7 years of Keller is so much more valuable that 2 years of Nylander, who would likely end up with a higher cap charge than Keller on his next contract.

The Nylander for Bertuzzi deal, Hinges on Bertuzzi signing long term extension with Toronto. And sorry don't see that happening.