Why does he trade for Hanifin then? He has a better chance at signing Nylander than he does Hanifin. Who knows how close or far apart they are on agreeing to terms with Nylander at this point.

Why does CGY do this trade? There's just as much pressure on Conroy not to lose UFAs for nothing. Re-signing Hanifin was put on a halt because of the season they were having but they know what it would take to sign him unlike Nylander (who might not even be interested). To make matters worse, you're suggesting risking one of their best defenders who is on a value contract in addition to a 1st.

Brutal trade for Calgary

Why do we have to lose him?

Nylander isn't worth that. Take out Andersson and it's probably alot closer.

Awful trade for Calgary.

Now why would we trade our best defenceman who doesn’t even want out and still has several years left on his contract?

Geez what does Nylander have to do to get respect on here. Guy is arguably the best player in the league this season so far and still has no value. Hilarious

Nylanders mnmc declines lol

Nylander, great player. Elite winger. Wants $10M+ on next contract. Andersson great top pairing RHD. Would say he's at the elite level for his position. Amazing contract with term. RHD way now premium position over a winger.
The deal of Hanifin and a 1st, especially Calgary's 1st, is basically a top 10 pick, another high 1st, and probably 2 seconds (if Hanifin gets around what Chychrun got which he should). The fact Hanifin is a UFA hurts his value a bit but I doubt he doesn't get traded to any team that he won't sign with.
It's not that there isn't any love for Nylander, at least from me, just that taking out Andersson the deal would be close.

According to flames fans they have the best defence in the league. Anderson, Hanafin, Weegar, Tanev and Zadorov are all either high end top pair defenceman or above average top 4 defenceman. And yet, the flames get scored on a tonne. It's weird how that works eh? Nylander though, just a run of the mill forward eh? That's capfriendly for you

They have some really good defensemen but yeah this season can't put it together. Just like Edmonton, one of the best offenses in the league, close to the bottom of the league in goals for. Weegar is really good, Hanifin is really good, Tanev is good, I think Zadorov is okay. Zadorov is a good third pairing guy, if a team acquires him and plays him top 4, they might be very disappointed.

Tanev is the player I'd want from Calgary. Or Weegar but I wouldn't want to pay much for him. His contract is horrible

For the Leafs, his contract wouldn't matter. By the time it might get to be a problem, if it ever does, the Leafs will be likely looking to rebuild. All dependant on how long Matthews sticks around for in my opinion. Tanev I also think is the best option and I think he would re-sign at a reasonable rate. I feel 2 years at 3-3.5M would be good but who knows.

This is a really bad trade for both teams but especially the leafs, Nylander is a top 10 player who is likely to resign if theres cap available and Hanifin will not and hes also not even really worth nylander so this doesnt solve issues for either team and makes them both worse