Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander popped up in the speculation mill for the first time in a while. Here's the latest on if the Leafs have room to re-sign him.
It's been a while since William Nylander surfaced in our Rumor Roundup. That's because his camp and Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving have kept their contract negotiations out of the media.
Slated to become a UFA next July, the 27-year-old forward will only say that he hopes to remain a Leaf, but his focus is on the upcoming season.
Since the summer, there's been ongoing speculation about Nylander's future. Some pundits believe he'll play out this season in Toronto, doubting the Leafs could find anyone who can afford what would be their hefty asking price or his $6.962-million cap hit.
Nevertheless, that hasn't stopped some observers from suggesting Nylander will be traded before the March 8 trade deadline.
Earlier this summer, NHL Network's Mike Rupp suggested Nylander might be a good fit with the rebuilding Anaheim Ducks. He repeated that suggestion last Friday. His colleague Steve Konroyd also felt the Leafs would have to trade Nylander, doubting that they can afford what could be $10 million annually to re-sign him to a long-term deal.
It seems more likely that the Leafs will hang onto Nylander, as their odds of winning the Stanley Cup are better if he's in the lineup. Nevertheless, we can't dismiss the possibility that he ends up shopped to the highest bidder by the trade deadline.
Injuries could decimate the Leafs' lineup this season and threaten to derail their playoff hopes. A significant roster weakness could develop that can only be suitably addressed by peddling an asset like Nylander before March 8.