No. 3: Vladimir Tarasenko ($7.5M)
When you look at the stats, Tarasenko and Nylander are pretty similar players.
Both players are 30-goal scorers, however Tarasenko plays the game way tougher and bigger than Nylander.
Tarasenko is 6-foot-1, 230 pounds (30 pounds heavier) and plays like it. In playoff moments, he’s actually not afraid to hit someone or fight someone for that matter, which is a huge aspect of the game.
St. Louis may not want to trade Tarasenko, but with one year left on his contract, they may be willing to part ways to acquire a younger player with more term on a cheaper contract.
Toronto realistically has two years left in their window to win a Stanley Cup.
Although he only has one year left on his contract, Tarasenko could be the only thing that Toronto is missing, as his size and skillset could help the Leafs get over the edge. If Tarasenko was on this roster instead of Nylander this season, I truly think Toronto would have won the series against Tampa because his willingness to desire to win is that much greater than Nylander’s.
Either way, trading Nylander is a must for this organization right now because they need to bring in a player who plays a tougher game while always displaying a high-amount of skill.
As a result, any three of these players would make the Toronto Maple Leafs a better team for the 2022-23 season.