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Toronto Maple Leafs Roundtable: The Ideal Trade Deadline

By Tim Chiasson

Feb 19, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs forward James van Riemsdyk (25) skates with the puck against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Toronto Maple Leafs defeat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-0. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs forward James van Riemsdyk (25) skates with the puck against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Toronto Maple Leafs defeat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-0. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 23, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) carries the puck as Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Nikita Zaitsev (22) defends at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) carries the puck as Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Nikita Zaitsev (22) defends at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Andrew Boehmer’s Ideal Trade Deadline

I am actually one of the few people that thinks the Toronto Maple Leafs should send William Nylander packing. I love Nylander, he’s an extremely valuable asset to the team and has played exceptionally well.

That’s just my point. He’s young and his stock is high, meaning his trade value in through the roof. A team looks for these kind of guys because, like I said, they’re young and are just at the beginning.

The grooming process will happen regardless of where the player plays. Someone may rebuttal by saying something like, “well, what about trading van Riemsdyk instead?” and my answer is simple.

JVR is in his prime and is veteran player on this extremely young team. His presence on and off the ice is needed and is instrumental to the success of the club going forward.

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Yes, his stock is high too but you have to weigh the fact that we need older guys on a roster to be those glue guys for the young guns, which the Leafs are in not in short supply of.

For example, if the Leafs decided to keep Willie (trading JVR or not), they would have three pretty hefty contracts to dish out to Matthews, Marner, and Nylander.

And that’s just those three. What about Brown, Hyman, possibly Zaitsev? Obviously they won’t be getting big contracts but they’ll still be worth a pretty penny.

I know the Leafs cap situation is pretty good right now, but we will be a contending team soon looking for ‘rental’ players around this time of year, and some might cost us. There’s always something else to consider like that.

Now, where would Nylander end up? Or, better yet, where do I see it worth while trading him too? I would try and get a deal done with the Anaheim Ducks for one of their young, NHL ready blue liners.

How about Shea Theodore or Brandon Montour (shoots right)? Both are elite prospects that should be playing in the NHL right now, but because of how deep the Ducks are with defensemen, they haven’t been able to establish themselves as regular NHL players.

The Ducks could use some offensive help, especially if they think they’re on the brink of being a Cup contending team now. Why not make a trade for an up-and-coming star such as William Nylander? It’s worth poking around a bit if you ask me.

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