Leafs can run a 20 man to start the year and they are cap compliant. They did this last year. Several teams did this last year. Vegas ran 19 players to start a few years ago. More teams are doing this.

The Leafs DO NOT need to make any moves to be cap compliant. So no Nylander does not need to be a "cap casualty".

I do see a scenario where Nylander gets moved out, so that we can add a top end D man but you didn't do that here. (and it is probably unlikely as well)

This is likely a deal that NSH would take. I'd happily send either Smith or Gurianov down to make room for him.

That said I don't see it happening because there would be added complications that make it not happen. TOR would likely be a bit unhappy with this return as this doesn't include a piece that helps them now. I could see NSH adding in Lauzon or even Carrier in on top of this as the defense pipeline for them is deep enough that it can be next man up. Additionally, NSH would obviously want an extension to be in place as part of the deal and if a deal couldn't be met or if TOR didn't let NSH talk to Nylander to make an extension work then NSH would shut the whole thing down.

That is not true. Toronto will have to waive at least one player in order to become compliant. Sending Knies and Holmberg to the Marlies is not enough to get below the cap. And even if you do waive and demote enough players to become compliant you're still only a hair's width from the cap ceiling so you will not accrue anything and cannot bring up anyone in case of injuries. What are you going to do if one of your defenders gets injured, play game after game with 5 defenders.

Why would Nashville trade two first rounders and third for one year of Nylander....and still finish out of the playoff.?

Well it is true and yes they will need to waive people to get to 20 man roster to start the year. They may lose some guys on waivers this way and they did in the past. That's why depth is important. And yes if the Leafs get a normal IR injury and not an LTIR injury, they risk playing short for a few games. Multiple teams made this gamble over the past few years and several of them won the cup.

Once one of their higher cap players gets an LTIR injury (which is inevitable), the Leafs can then rock a 22-23 man roster. That's how it played out last year as well.

I can guarantee you that the Leafs management views themselves currently as being cap compliant with what they have.

With how many times this has been explained, this is not just a troll post.

The leafs can make the cap work, this has been explained at length.