I mean... Detroit accepts pending an acceptable extension. Maybe nylander would take a little less with lower taxes and when there aren’t 11m+ players on the team? CJ seemed to indicate on the CJ show his big thing is he doesn’t want to be paid so much less than Marner and Matthews and JT.

I know dumping Murray is expensive, Berg is a good middle six guy (or will grow to be) and Soderblom has potential, but I still don’t actually know if this is enough to pry willy. Then again, Berg’s Elc and the cap from willy would be very valuable to toronto

I wouldn't trade Soderblom unless we get a player like William Nylander so trade accepted. Some risk cus Soderblom could become Tage Thompson. But Red Wings probably try to make Nylander a center and make him 1C

At the same time I don't know if Detroit accepts. Obviously extension has to be in place, that's a must. Berggren right now is a middle six player but he's excelled at every level he has played at, had a nice rookie season and is getting better. I'm actually pretty excited about him in Detroit. I don't to know if he gets to Willy level good but I think he's a 25-30 goals a season guy with alot less cap hit. Then Soda is a unicorn. Is he the next Tage? Probably not but will he be a good player with exceptional size and skill. Then that first is really up in the air, I think Boston is still a playoff team but there some really good defencemen coming in this next draft so that is always intriguing. Then there is the question of Willy, does he put up 40 goals not playing with Matthews? He spent most of the season on his wing, he isn't getting that calibre of player in Detroit. Also there is the age difference, I know Yzerman said he wouldn't commit assets to anyone over 27 and Willy fits that but really our contention window is 2-3 years from now so is he the same player at age 30? I really like Willy styles and I think we need a player like him but I don't know if this is the deal.

We don’t want any defensemen making over Riellys 7.5

Appreciate the well thought out response.

I think the narrative around Willy being helped by the other 3 is really overblown.

Now I do recognize he always benefits from those guys being on the team cause the other team can't focus in on him as the main/only goal scorer like they could in Detroit but at the same time. He led the Leafs in playoffs goals and points in the Montreal series playing on a line with Kerfoot and Galchenyuk.

He's also the guy Keefe moves into whatever line is cold to try and heat them up. Aside from the start of last year when they were experimenting with Tavares/Marner, since his rookie season he hasn't consistently played with Matthews. He's had years with 30 goals playing on the 3rd line half the year. He only averaged 18 minutes a night last year for comparison Marner played over 21 and Mathews while playing injured most of the year played over 20. It might seem like a little but an extra 3mins a night would be 17% more ice time. Assuming he kept his scoring pace that is a 47 goal 102 point season.

I know I'm kinda just playing with numbers but my point is that if you move him to Detroit where he can play on the 1st line have him consistently on PP1 (which he wasn't in Toronto last year) those benefits likely out way the negatives of losing his offensive teammates especially when looking at his record playing without any other core 4 member.

When it comes to his age. He's definitely a guy who relies on his smarts and shot more than his skating. I feel it's the fast players who struggle more as they age. I'm not saying he'll be an 80 point guy for 7 years but I can see him at a PPG for another 5 years (Tavares just did it at 32). Then see him like a Giroud type player who can still be an effective 2nd liner into his mid to late 30s. The things that make him good aren't the skills he is going to lose first.

1. I wouldn't recommend Willy at C, it's never worked for the leafs. Mind you the first time we tried it was a playoff elimination game so we also went about it all wrong.

2. Why would you need him at center? Larkin/Compher/Copp should have that covered for the next 4/5 years.

Agreed but I'd make an exception for a true #1

1. Need to give him time to learn center but has the talent to be an elite center. Leafs never gave him enough time at that position.
2. Dylan Larkin isn't a legit one C and neither is Copp or Compher. Nylander has way more talent than all of them. If Nylander was given time to learn center he would slot everyone in the right spot. Would move Larkin to 2C and Copp or Compher to 3C and make center a position of strength. Compher is probably the 3C and you could move Copp to the wing