NHL trade rumors popped up last offseason about the Toronto Maple Leafs trading one of their core four players. The rumors are starting to circulate again. You have to believe Auston Matthews is safe and John Tavares has a no-movement clause. That leaves Mitch Marner or William Nylander.
NHL Analyst Chris Johnston was on Toronto’s local TSN radio station, TSN 1050 and reports that this will be the summer that one of the core four will be traded. He did not state who, but you have to think it is Nylander.
Johnston went on to say, the COVID-19 pandemic has messed with the Leafs Salary cap situation. Prior to the pandemic, the Leafs expected the salary cap to go up two or three or four or five million every year, but it has not and the Leafs need to shed salary.
The Leafs want to introduce different players to the roster next year and in order for them to do that, then need to trade one of the core four and Nylander looks to be that player.
Nylander, 25, who has a salary cap hit of $6,962,366 was drafted 8th overall in the 1st round of the 2014 entry draft. He currently has a total 326 points in 425 games played, and 23 playoffs points in 32 games played.
