Werenski and Others
The Problem with a Nylander trade is that if you don’t want to take back futures, it’s extremely hard to get value for him. Who is going to give you back his equal who can step into the lineup and help today?
The Jackets, if they are going to lose Panarin might want to replace his offense, but would they give up Zack Werenski? Almost certainly not.
Just like the Ducks probably wouldn’t send you Lindholm. The Flyers won’t give the Leafs Provorov, the Bruins won’t be sending MacAvoy and the Sabres won’t be so keen to unite the brothers that they send Dahlin.
And if you’re not getting back an elite player that can help today, the Leafs are stuck paying Nylander what he wants. Which they should just do. The cap is going up. They’ve made their point. Money can always be found by cutting the Browns, Hymans, Marleaus and Hainseys of the world.
The Toronto Maple Leafs went about 30 years between Wendel Clark and William Nylander. The rarity of adding such a player should guide the Leafs to the right resolution: get Nylander back in the lineup.
stats from naturalhattrick.com
and hockeydb.com