The Maple Leafs went slightly off the board in selecting Modo forward William Nylander with the eighth overall selection at the 2014 NHL Draft in Philadelphia.
The 5'11" 176 lb Nylander can play center or wing, has the same offensive skill set as father Michael (who scored 209 goals and 470 assists in over 900 NHL games) and was advanced enough to play 22 games in the Swedish Hockey League as a 17-year-old. He was scorer in the 2014 IIHF under-18 World Championships with six goals and 10 assists in seven games.
Nylander does not expect to make the NHL as an 18-year old and may go back for another season in Sweden, but does not have any commitments for the 2014-15 season and could come to North America, but said that he would consult with the Leafs on his future.
#Leafs top pick William Nylander at his first press conference pic.twitter.com/hIBOuANyHe
— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) June 28, 2014*******
The Leafs GM also indicated that the club is not in the mix to deal for Ottawa center Jason Spezza or Vancouver’s Ryan Kesler, who may be moved on draft weekend.
According to TSN’s Bob McKenzie, Nonis did kick tires on acquiring Spezza and moving him to another club as part of a three-way deal, but that idea was not amenable to Ottawa GM Bryan Murray.
While most news regarding free agents and Toronto involves which of their players they are not going to bring back, TSN’s Darren Dreger mentioned that they have inquired about Sens pending free agent Milan Michalek.
The 29-year-old Czech has scored 20 goals or more five times, including a career-high 35 goals in 2011-12, but has a history of knee problems and dropped to 17 goals with Ottawa last season. Dreger reports that if the Leafs want to sign Michalek to a deal, that they might have to make room on their cap by trading Joffrey Lupul, who makes $5.25 Million for another four seasons.
#Leafs GM Dave Nonis says no talks yet with Nikolai Kulemin camp, ongoing dialogue w/ Dave Bolland camp, interest in Leo Komarov at right #.
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) June 26, 2014Nonis also indicated on Thursday that there have been no contract discussions between the Leafs and restricted free agent James Reimer, but is not ruling out the possibility of the goalie’s return.
It is likely that the Leafs are having a tough time getting what they deem as equal value for the 26-year-old netminder with the goalie market filled with veterans like Ryan Miller, Jonas Hiller and Evgeni Nabokov. If Toronto cannot recoup at least a second round pick for the Morweena, MB native, it is likely that they will extend him a qualifying offer and bring him back as Jonathan Bernier’s backup next season, which is not the perfect scenario for Reimer or the Leafs.
Will be updating throughout the day on this blog and on the rumor tracker.
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