Friedman on teams that could be interested Nylander
Chris Nichols of Nichols on Hockey: Elliotte Friedman was on Sportsnet 960 and was asked about teams not named the Carolina Hurricanes that could be interested in William Nylander.
“I do think the Hurricanes are a big one,” noted Friedman. “I think the Kings have been involved. I think Minnesota has been involved. I have speculated Philadelphia as a team that makes a lot of sense, although I can’t prove it.
“I’m sure there’s more. I look at a team like Pittsburgh that’s been struggling, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they’ve kicked the tires. I’m not sure they can do it, but I’m sure that they’ve asked.”
Everyone’s going to be asking the Maple Leafs what cost to acquire Nylander would be.
Friedman notes the Kings may not have what the Maple Leafs are looking for.
“Everybody looks at Toronto and says they’re going to look for defense, especially right defense, in a trade. I’m not convinced of that. They may, but I think that what they’re going to do for Nylander is what’s the best deal we could make. They’re not going to pigeonhole themselves into a right-shot defenseman if it’s not the best player they could get.
“They’re going to go out for the best they can get, and they’re worry about their defense somewhere else.”
On the talk that the Maple Leafs need to trade Nylander for defensive help
Gus Katsaros: “I hate the narrative that the Leafs have to trade Nylander for defensive help. They have depth scoring issues that won’t be addressed by bringing ‘defensive stability’. One player won’t make them better defensively & Nylander’s loss will be felt heavily.”
“Toronto can’t replace Willy. If teams target & stave off the Matthews/Tavares/Marner threats, their fairly easy to play against. I don’t think any one defenseman or package from a Nylander will make them better. A trade is a sketchy scenario here.”
Scott Wheeler: “I’m not even sure the Leafs should target a defenceman as the outcome of a potential Nylander trade. The dropoff from Nylander to the Leafs’ other forwards is likely a lot more pronounced then the upgrade a second-pairing D provides over Rosen/Holl/Marincin/Ozhiganov.”
Dreger updating Maple Leafs-Nylander situation
Chris Nichols of Nichols on Hockey: Darren Dreger was on TSN 1050 and was asked for an update on the Toronto Maple Leafs and William Nylander situation.
“Not a lot, just more speculation that the possibility of trade is clawing towards reality,” indicated Dreger. “Now that’s not to suggest there’s firm reason to believe he will be traded, it’s just the timing, and the fact that the Toronto Maple Leafs have to do their due diligence to make sure that they’ve got every scenario fully prepared if they’ve got to make a move.”
Nylander not playing this isn’t really an option and is surprised that Nylander hasn’t taken more control in the process.
What the Maple Leafs are offering isn’t known, but says it’s believed the Maple Leafs have come up but he doesn’t know if they’ve gone over $6.5 million per season. The Leafs haven’t been comfortable in the David Pastrnak range of $6.67 million.
“But all of that being said, whatever the negotiation is – is it ongoing, is it stalled – what we know is that the Toronto Maple Leafs are at least more aggressively looking at trade options. I wouldn’t say they’re in negotiations to make a trade, but they’re at least lining up teams – maybe even players and assets – if they’ve got to pull the trigger.”