The Columbus Blue Jackets brought talent in on defense and have some promising young forwards. Ryan Kennedy and Mike Stephens discuss whether they sneakily jump up the standings. William Nylander and Robert Bortuzzo [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwODg2Nzc2MDc0NjA5ODY4/usatsi_19720014_168400847_lowres.jpg] William Nylander and Robert Bortuzzo The ongoing uncertainty over William Nylander's future with the Toronto Maple Leafs has fans and pundits wondering if he'll be traded at some point during this season. That includes followers of the St. Louis Blues. In a recent mailbag segment, The Athletic's Jeremy Rutherford [https://theathletic.com/4853010/2023/09/13/blues-torey-krug-distraction-trades/] was asked if there was any substance to speculation of the Blues potentially shipping defenseman Colton Parayko to Toronto for Nylander. Another asked if a package offer with blueliner Torey Krug as the centerpiece might tempt the Maple Leafs. Rutherford believes the ship sailed on a Nylander-for-Parayko swap a long time ago. He also doesn't see the Leafs having an interest in Krug even if he were healthy. Any talk of the Blues including Parayko or Krug in a trade offer for Nylander or anyone else fails to factor in their respective no-trade clauses. Parayko has a full one until July 2028, when it reverts to a 15-team no-trade list. Krug, meanwhile, reportedly used his NTC to spike a trade in June that would've sent him to the Philadelphia Flyers. Even if the Leafs were interested, he could shut that down just as easily as he did with the proposed Flyers deal. Rutherford [https://theathletic.com/4856142/2023/09/12/blues-torey-krug-foot-injury/] also reported last week that the oft-sidelined Krug was out until Oct. 1 with an injured foot. His injury history further dampens his trade value, meaning he won't fetch a two-time 80-point winger like Nylander. Speaking of Nylander, Rutherford's colleague Pierre LeBrun [https://theathletic.com/4845197/2023/09/08/maple-leafs-matthews-nylander-treliving/?source=emp_shared_article] recently asked Leafs GM Brad Treliving about his contract extension talks with the winger's representatives. Treliving indicated Nylander wants to stay in Toronto. He also pointed out that both sides are open to getting a deal done, and they still have plenty of time to do so.
