TheGoldenJet
Registered User
If the Leafs brass have analyzed Nylander’s game prior to his extension talks and have decided he’s a winger long term (rather than a center), how does this impact the Leafs approach to A) future trades, and B) the 2018 draft?
A) Future Trades: Some will feel that Nylander as a pure winger changes nothing, and that the team simply moves forward with Mathews at C and two star right wingers earning the biggest cap hits. Personally, I feel that if Nylander is viewed as a winger by the Leafs, it might be wise to explore trading Nylander for a (potential) top pairing RHD who is under 25. Nylander has plenty of value right now (young, 2 60 point seasons already) and will have even more if signed to a good contract. Even if the Leafs feel he is a future winger, at least a few GMs out there still currently see him as a potential C option this summer, which will raise his current value even more. What kind of D does a 21 year old 60 point C fetch?
B) 2018 Draft: If Nylander is a winger, the Leafs will need a young C to be the 1-2 punch with Matthews, especially once Kadri starts to slip. They likely won’t find one at #25, so one strategy would be to trade up (rather than down) in this draft. By trading up they could grab a player like Barrett Hayton in the 15-20 range, who may be a future scoring line C in the NHL. I feel it might be worth a 3rd or a 2019 2nd to move up 6-8 spots and select that level of player, who could potentially replace Nylander at Center on the cheap.
A) Future Trades: Some will feel that Nylander as a pure winger changes nothing, and that the team simply moves forward with Mathews at C and two star right wingers earning the biggest cap hits. Personally, I feel that if Nylander is viewed as a winger by the Leafs, it might be wise to explore trading Nylander for a (potential) top pairing RHD who is under 25. Nylander has plenty of value right now (young, 2 60 point seasons already) and will have even more if signed to a good contract. Even if the Leafs feel he is a future winger, at least a few GMs out there still currently see him as a potential C option this summer, which will raise his current value even more. What kind of D does a 21 year old 60 point C fetch?
B) 2018 Draft: If Nylander is a winger, the Leafs will need a young C to be the 1-2 punch with Matthews, especially once Kadri starts to slip. They likely won’t find one at #25, so one strategy would be to trade up (rather than down) in this draft. By trading up they could grab a player like Barrett Hayton in the 15-20 range, who may be a future scoring line C in the NHL. I feel it might be worth a 3rd or a 2019 2nd to move up 6-8 spots and select that level of player, who could potentially replace Nylander at Center on the cheap.