![]() He’s a talented center who is coming into his own in the NHL after being selected in the first round in 2015. ![]() Joel Eriksson-Ek, Minnesota Wild ( Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)Īn ideal target for the Maple Leafs from the Wild is center Joel Eriksson-Ek. Regardless, the Wild GM has been open to wheeling and dealing in the past and Nylander is someone Minnesota could target this summer. GM Bill Guerin isn’t shy to make moves even though the team has the buy-out payments to make for Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, which will cost Guerin $14.7 million in 2023-24. The last of my three potential trade destinations, the Minnesota Wild. Keep in mind being a Maple Leaf isn’t for everyone. He holds a modified no-trade clause that covers seven teams and it’s hard to picture a scenario where he wouldn’t want to go ‘home’ and play in front of family and friends. Wilson, like Nylander, is entering the final season of his contract. A first line of Auston Matthews, Matthew Knies and Wilson would be a very tough trio to play against as they would be elite at hunting down pucks and have lethal size as they all are over 6-foot-3. This is the type of player the Maple Leafs need in their lineup and someone who can bring a new element to the team’s top-two lines. The Stanley Cup Playoffs matter and he’s shown in the past he’s a winner. Wilson hasn’t played a full 82-game season since 2016-17, but frankly that doesn’t matter. ![]() Health is a bit of a concern, as his style of play has taken a toll on the Toronto native. He’s also very good at making contributions on the score sheet, where it matters, as Wilson recorded 22 points in 33 games last season and produced a career-high 52 points in 2021-22. Wilson is one of the best in the league at playing a heavy game as he’s never scared to throw the body, lean on players in the offensive zone, and drop the mitts should it be needed. Tom Wilson, Washington Capitals ( Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers) If any deal was to go down between the two clubs, the Maple Leafs would be wise to target power forward Tom Wilson. I’d expect them to be active this summer making adjustments and could see them targeting a player like Nylander. The Washington Capitals are in a time of transition and are looking to build a new younger core while they ride Alex Ovechkin into the sunset. Will Calgary be on Nylander’s no-fly zone? Hard to say at this point, obviously, but if this trade went down before July 1, then it’s a non factor. I see them making adjustments by adding players they can plug-and-play into their lineup and more specifically in the top six where the new gaping hole exists. I can’t see them trading any of the core players for a ‘futures’ driven package loaded with draft picks and prospects. Lindholm is roughly 1.5 years older than Nylander, something if Toronto makes any major changes could be a factor. Something else to consider with any of the Maple Leafs’ moves this summer is age. This would allow Tyler Toffoli to stay on the second line next season after a career high in points in 2022-23. Calgary will be looking for more offense from their wing and Nylander is someone who could fit in nicely with their group, playing alongside Nazem Kadri and Jonathan Huberdeau. No, not because Nylander was born in Calgary, it’s just the Flames are in the same boat as the Maple Leafs and will be making big changes heading into next season. Here’s a few potential destinations should Nylander be the ‘core four’ member moved: Calgary Flames With all the talk about the core four likely being dismantled, it’s very possible a trade goes down this summer. Nylander has a 10-team no-trade clause that kicks in on July 1, so it will become a bit more difficult to make a move. ![]() The talented forward has one season left on his contract at $6.9 million and is eligible to discuss a contract extension in Toronto come July 1. One Maple Leaf who is now caught in all this crossfire is William Nylander. ![]()
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