25 May 2026 16:29:45
If they trade Nylander for prospects and draft picks, Matthews is gone. So unless it's a massive return of roster players that make the team better I can't see Matthews sticking around to see how the prospect and picks develop.
1.) 26 May 2026
25 May 2026 22:02:18
I don’t think they intend on trading Matthews, Nylander or Knies. They have no reason to.
2.) 26 May 2026
25 May 2026 22:59:34
We will see what happens. What I do know is if they do decide to pull the plug and put them on the market with select calls to select teams. They will get big, big offers for Matthews and Nylander and a decent offer for Knies not as hight just for his lack of proven history in the league.
However... if they don't and they do not find a way to improve the club in a timely and significant way, and Matthews and or Nylander demand to be moved.
The amount of those offers in quality and quantity will be reduced as the other teams will now be in the driver's seat knowing the Leafs have been backed into a corner. The chess match begins.
3.) 26 May 2026
25 May 2026 23:04:37
Toronto should trade Nylander, Carlo, and Quillan.
To
New York Rangers for Will Cuylle, Brandon Schneider and Vincent Trouchek
If Matthews isn't happy then trade him to, Toronto will get more for now then in 2 years.
Need to go younger, faster, bigger.
Oh yeah and players with heart not a big bank account.
4.) 26 May 2026
26 May 2026 00:26:16
But... what if the Leafs traded Nylander for a bunch of young prospects, specifically on the Blueline, that are ready to make the jump to the NHL as early as next season... and then are able to sign Alex Tuch with that cap space to replace the forward spot. Tuch and Nylander are the same age... Tuch would presumably make less money...
and brings a different element to the team. He is defensively responsible, kills penalties, hard to play against and can still score 30 goals.
Then would you do it?
Nylander to Chicago for the 4th overall plus Levshnov?
Or
Nylander to Dallas for Harley and sequin (cap dump for Dallas)?
5.) 26 May 2026
26 May 2026 00:26:32
Agree Park Gardens. Nylander needs to go. So does Reilly. If Matthews isn’t happy, get a package for him too. Sorry Leafs GM, not sure why but I disagree with everything you say in regards to this team.
I’m sick of watching this soft unmotivated group. Time to rebuild and move on. They have every reason to trade those 3. Just need someone man enough to pull the trigger.
6.) 26 May 2026
26 May 2026 01:42:57
Nylander going nowhere. Only one getting trade is Reilly out if the core.
7.) 26 May 2026
26 May 2026 14:56:39
Man enough lol
8.) 26 May 2026
26 May 2026 14:58:09
Clarky, trade those players right now for me. Tell what the return would be and explain how that make this team better.
9.) 26 May 2026
26 May 2026 19:54:00
LeafsGM78, I am not sure what Clarky's trades if he responds to you on this will look like but I think he and I share a common goal of a rebuild that also is a part retool. You and I had a back and forth the other day and while I respect your opinion I obvioulsy don't agree with hanging on to these guys forever, and you clearly don't want to move any of the big names. The names I had thrown out the other day and the returns were far from us being robbed blind. It was more about new blood and stockpiling for the next draft as well. You said there are no guarantees with high picks. That is true. What is more true is if you have multiple first round picks you have a much better chance of getting that top player to help your franchise but if you don't have those picks you are in a world of hurt. I mean if High picks mean nothing, why were we so fixated on not losing ours to Boston?
I stand by what I said the other day. I would trade Nylander to Dallas with our best 2nd round pick in 2027 for Wyatt Johnston, Tyler Seguin (Cap DUMP LTIR but if healthy a very solid 3rd liner for one year of that Salary) and their 1st round pick in 2027.
We then flip that 1st round pick to Philly along with Stolarz to get our Original pick for 2027 back. Which would be a better pick in all likelihood. Our First in 2028 would then go to Boston as a 100% unprotected pick.
I know you are a Nylander fan and I am not saying he is not a great player. He just is not as well rounded of a player as Johnston right now and never will be, Willy is not a 200 foot player and Johnston is and also is 7 years younger.
Those transactions bring in a great young Centre, Gets rid of a goatending bottleneck, and brings us back a 1st round pick. Now we have 2 in 2027 and we haven't even touched base on Matthews, Reilly and if the return was right even Knies, and the return we get there.
You had said about Investing in the Defence and when I asked you to elaborate. I was expecting your suggested trades or free agent signings but you responded "So when I say investment I’m saying make it more complete, more skillful, more balanced, defined roles for players." That's a politicians answer. Say how you are going to make it this and this and this and give no explanation on how at all.
I could elaborate more on further moves but you won't like them because they involve change and bringing in younger guns. But if and I say If Connor McDavid decided in 2 years he wants to come here to finish his career, I think he would rather be playing with yournger guns like Johnston and guys like Byfield, Cowan, Stenberg etc. than with guys that are in their early 30's like himself.
10.) 26 May 2026
26 May 2026 20:39:49
Hey I get it. I really, but getting younger and getting draft picks isn’t going to magically make us better. Who said you need to be young and tough as a team to win a Cup? Because Florida did it twice. I’m saying a lot of these posts are trying to model their team, but it isn’t the only recipe for success. I’m not the biggest Nylander fan. I just won’t a reasonable return, and if everyone feels it’s picks and prospects I’m not buying in, as neither of those are for sure pieces.
Your post with Johnson was good, as he’s a comparable player, not a first round maybe great player. Picks can be busts is my point, so you want to trade Matthews and Nylander? Ok
Tor: Nylander, Matthews to
SJ: Celebrini and 1st round pick
11.) 26 May 2026
26 May 2026 21:28:34
What do you mean not a first round maybe great player?
12.) 26 May 2026
26 May 2026 21:32:50
First round picks are “maybe great players” but not a shoe in.
13.) 26 May 2026
26 May 2026 21:33:33
Do you know who Crieg Conroy is?
14.) 26 May 2026
26 May 2026 21:42:31
@LeafsGM Sorry for my response. But I’m sick of seeing the same thing over again. I’d rather the Darcy Tucker/Domi/Sundin/Corsin era where these played with heart. Even though they didn’t win, you respected the effort these guys put in.
We know it won’t make us better now, but in 2-3 years with proper development we could be fighting for a playoff spot again with a winning culture of guys who want to be here.
Matthews already has one foot out the door and that is our captain.
I’ve also made many trades for these two guys on here. My favourite is a trade based around Sennecke for Nylander and for Matthews it’s going to SJ based around that 2nd overall pick plus Misa (for example).
15.) 26 May 2026
26 May 2026 21:46:37
Yes, of course. What's your point?
16.) 26 May 2026
26 May 2026 21:55:52
Sorry Clarky, your post came in when I was asking GM what the point is if I know who Craig Conroy is. I like your Sennecke idea. I just think Anaheim won't part with him because the combination of Entry Level Contract and his production. Nylander would hurt them salary wise with their RFAs. Only reason Dallas might consider the Johnson deal is because we could take Seguin and give them room to move on Robertson even with Nylander's salary coming in.
Plus Willy, even though he says he wants to stay here, would probably not be too unhappy to go to a team where he takes a pay hike with the tax. After all, he will eventually be kicking his agents butt for that long contract while everyone else climbs past his salary in the next few years.
17.) 26 May 2026
26 May 2026 22:08:43
I know you have and you’re not wrong man. I played like Tucker all heart. Do I like Nylander not back checking? No. Did I like one one guy defended Matthews? Absolutely not, that was sickening to me as it was you. We differ on one point, you think the team is broken. I feel it was never fully assembled and I’d like to see it through. Matthews won the Hart; been a really long time a Leaf has done that and the media says he has a foot out the door not him.
Anyway the best was I can sum it up is if we’re playing Texas holdem you are putting all your chips in before the flop whereas I’m waiting for the flop, it’s a huge gamble for both points of view but I’m betting with what I know we have you’re betting on drafting home runs and betting on very young players. Nothing wrong with either strategy just different philosophy. This is to Clarky.
18.) 26 May 2026
26 May 2026 22:10:45
When that kid from the Ducks hits 40 goals and 80 points consistently I’ll concede the argument.
19.) 27 May 2026
26 May 2026 22:23:50
My point, Suffering, is how many points did he have for the Oilers after being the return for Gretzky… I don’t know either, but I’d sure hate for that to be the return for Nylander.
20.) 27 May 2026
26 May 2026 22:39:51
I know how many. 0. Because he was never traded for Gretzky. You are losing it, man. Craig Conroy wasn't even old enough to be drafted when Gretzky was traded.
21.) 27 May 2026
26 May 2026 22:46:03
Not the Flames GM my man, excuse me Jimmy Carson lol.
22.) 27 May 2026
26 May 2026 22:59:35
Bit of a stretch. But he only had a measly 100 points the next year. Then wanted to be moved the next year because the Media and Fans were still fixated on Gretzky being moved and Carson was onlay 20 so was a lot to handle. But you do know that the trade they made (The assets they got back is what won them that next cup).
So I would say that all worked out. There was a lot more in that package to Edmonton too. Way different scenario that here. No-one is giving $15,000,000 because the team is in financial trouble.
23.) 27 May 2026
26 May 2026 23:13:05
Just to go back a little to the Johnston Nylander thing. I would do the trade straight up. Dallas won't and the only reason they would consider is us. The taking the Seguin Contract and giving up a first in return for that and a second.
Why would I do them straight up? Well I already said how Johnston is a much better 200 foot player but chew on these numbers.
It took Willy 7 full seasons of North American professional hockey to score the 263 identical points that Wyatt has scored in 4 seasons of North American professional hockey and stepped straight in the NHL and has not missed a game since.
328 NHL games for Johnston to get those points and 358 NHL games for Nylander to get the same points. Willy scored his 45-goal highest total in his 11th pro season and Wyatt has hit that 45-goal mark in his 4th season. As a two-way centreman. I know it is hard to believe but this was Nylander's 12th season and it was Matthews' 11th season. It is not working anymore and a change of scenery for them both might be good for them and for the Leafs.
24.) 27 May 2026
27 May 2026 01:58:38
@LeafsGM I play a fair bit of hold em and like the analogy, but this is year 10 of these guys l, so it’s not me putting my chips all in before the flop but more like I’ve been chasing a gut shot straight draw that’s cost me most of my chips and I didn’t hit on the River. So now it’s time to rebuild my stack from the bottom (defence) up.
@Suffering I like the Wyatt deal too. Would be happy with that. Sennecke would be my second choice along with Matt Boldy if they have interest in Matthews or Nylander in Minny. I just hope we get some toughness along with these guys. Love to try and pry Greentree out of NYR. Maybe with a trade down draft picks scenario.
25.) 27 May 2026
27 May 2026 03:35:33
@Clarky. If you liked the Wyatt Johnston one then we take it one more Step. We do that then we Trade Matthew’s and our 1st Overall and Woll to Minny for Boldy, Faber and Gustaffson and Minnys 1st in 2027.
Then what the heck we shake it up one more time. Off goes Knies and Reilly $2 million retaine to Seattle for Catton and the 2 Giants Meittenen and Nyman.
Now we would have :
Nyman Johnston Boldy
Meittenen Catton Cowan
A. J Greer (F. A) J. T, Seguin (if Healthy)
Fourth line gets determined at camp.
Faber Tanev
OEL McCabe
Carlo Danford
Gustaffson Hildeby or A. A
All fantasy of course but that is lineup that grow very nicely with other prospects on the way.