Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving is unafraid to make big deals. He doesn't like when players walk for free. Neither does Hurricanes GM Don Waddell. Both are seasoned executives who have executed a big trade or two. Notably, Treliving dealt Matthew Tkachuk last summer when he did not want to sign a contract extension in Calgary. Treliving may find himself in a familiar position this summer with William Nylander. Nylander and Auston Matthews are eligible to sign contract extensions. Nylander does not want to take a discount. If he wants the rumoured 10 million dollar AAV, he may have to get it elsewhere. Carolina is loathe to let Brett Pesce walk for nothing. With a blue line that boasts Jaccob Slavin, Brent Burns and Brady Skjei, Carolina can afford to deal a defenseman for some forward help. If Carolina can't sign Pesce and Toronto can't sign Nylander, is there a trade to be made that helps both teams? Rachel and Mike break down what a deal could look like if it happened. Could the Leafs and Hurricanes work out a deal for Nylander and Pesce? Carolina is rumoured to be vying for Erik Karlsson's services as well. That would create a bigger surplus on the backend in Carolina, making a trade more likely. With a plethora of high-end defensemen, Carolina can make a splash and significantly upgrade their top-6. If Nylander I willing to sign a deal that pays him 9 million per season, a shade over Timo Meier money, the Leafs should sign him. If he demands more than 9.5 million, the Leafs may seriously need to consider dealing their one of their best forwards.
