I am not expecting a deal to happen, as believe Nylander re-ups and stays in Toronto. My argument is to just classify Skjei and Kreider as inferior pieces is an unfair characterization. Have to give to get, and if Dubas can't or won't sign him to the deal Nylander wants or expects - even if Nylander is asking for more than he may deserve - a trade might have to happen. Two weeks left to go, will be interesting to see who, if anyone, blinks first.
- airjan23

Well, they are actually "inferior pieces" to Nylander. So not sure how it is an unfair characterization.

I have no clue what Dubas is going to do, I just hope he doesn't settle for a trade that looks like Skjei/Kreider for Nylander - I remember a Clark/Lefebvre for Sundin trade which worked out pretty amazing for the Leafs. This trade would smell a lot like that, but in favor of the Rangers.

I am not expecting a deal to happen, as believe Nylander re-ups and stays in Toronto. My argument is to just classify Skjei and Kreider as inferior pieces is an unfair characterization. Have to give to get, and if Dubas can't or won't sign him to the deal Nylander wants or expects - even if Nylander is asking for more than he may deserve - a trade might have to happen. Two weeks left to go, will be interesting to see who, if anyone, blinks first.
- airjan23

its a very fair characterization

Kreider is finally playing like Rangers' fans had hoped he would when drafted and then called up for the playoff run under john Tortortella. Most have no illusions that he is as talented as Nylander, but power forwards don't grow on trees. Plus, despite only being signed through next season, he could be future captain material in New York and possibly signed longer term.

Dubas right now holds the power, but he needs to play this one out correctly with the Matthews and Marner contracts coming down the pike in the near term. He will hold out for a better deal, but as I have written, I have no interest in dealing Kreider and Skjei for Nylander, despite knowing how good Nylander is. For those Maple leafs fans who think this is a garbage offer, that's fine, I respectfully disagree with you substantially.
- airjan23

It's irrefutably an awful trade for the Leafs. Think of it the other way. If you were trading Nylander away, would you be content with Kreider and Skjei? The answer is an easy no. You don't trade high quality for quantity.

Kreider has one year left on his current deal after this year, before he becomes a UFA and is gonna want to be overpaid. That's a strike against this bad trade.

He's 27 turning 28 early next year. Another strike against this bad trade.

Skjei is meh. Also a lefty. The Leafs have multiple lefty d-men better than he is and a top d-man prospect that's a lefty. Strike 3, the bad trade is out.

It's irrefutably an awful trade for the Leafs. Think of it the other way. If you were trading Nylander away, would you be content with Kreider and Skjei? The answer is an easy no. You don't trade high quality for quantity.

Kreider has one year left on his current deal after this year, before he becomes a UFA and is gonna want to be overpaid. That's a strike against this bad trade.

He's 27 turning 28 early next year. Another strike against this bad trade.

Skjei is meh. Also a lefty. The Leafs have multiple lefty d-men better than he is and a top d-man prospect that's a lefty. Strike 3, the bad trade is out.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Agreed. That'd be a terrible deal for the Leafs. They get absolutely nothing they really need in return for Nylander.

Truth be told, pretty much nothing the Rangers have on their blueline is impressive in return for Nylander.

Agreed. That'd be a terrible deal for the Leafs. They get absolutely nothing they really need in return for Nylander.

Truth be told, pretty much nothing the Rangers have on their blueline is impressive in return for Nylander.
- Unholy_Goalie

to top it off, one is injured and the other is a healthy scratch

to top it off, one is injured and the other is a healthy scratch
- twiztedmike

I do like Lias Andersson though but it's mostly because he threw his silver medal into the crowd at the WJC. I like Namestnikov too. Jimmy Vesey isn't too bad. Reality is though, the Leafs needs aren't covered by acquiring any of those players.

Kreider is finally playing like Rangers' fans had hoped he would when drafted and then called up for the playoff run under john Tortortella. Most have no illusions that he is as talented as Nylander, but power forwards don't grow on trees. Plus, despite only being signed through next season, he could be future captain material in New York and possibly signed longer term.

Dubas right now holds the power, but he needs to play this one out correctly with the Matthews and Marner contracts coming down the pike in the near term. He will hold out for a better deal, but as I have written, I have no interest in dealing Kreider and Skjei for Nylander, despite knowing how good Nylander is. For those Maple leafs fans who think this is a garbage offer, that's fine, I respectfully disagree with you substantially.
- airjan23

Not even in the same ballpark

Not even in the same ballpark
- burn

Got it. I am Nylander fan, obviously loved his dad when he was in New York. Let me ask Leads fans this, presuming a deal did happen, who from any team within the league would be a fair and reasonable exchange?

Got it. I am Nylander fan, obviously loved his dad when he was in New York. Let me ask Leads fans this, presuming a deal did happen, who from any team within the league would be a fair and reasonable exchange?
- airjan23

(for most of these players, teams would ask a pick/player in addition to Nylander, some others Leafs would require a pick/player)

- Boston: McAvoy (toronto adds)
- Philadelphia: Provorov
- Arizona: Keller (toronto adds)
- Columbus: Dubois (columbus adds)
- Colorado: Jost + Girard (toronto adds)
- Dallas: Heiskanen (toronto adds)
- Detroit: Mantha (detroit adds)
- Vegas: Glass (Vegas adds)

Personally I'd prefer Leafs adding a FW in exchange for Nylander over a D-man.

Got it. I am Nylander fan, obviously loved his dad when he was in New York. Let me ask Leads fans this, presuming a deal did happen, who from any team within the league would be a fair and reasonable exchange?
- airjan23

Not pending ufas

Not struggling dmen that aren't what we need.

We're not trading him for a pile of meh hoping the quantity outweighs the quality.

Not pending ufas

Not struggling dmen that aren't what we need.

We're not trading him for a pile of meh hoping the quantity outweighs the quality.
- burn

I got the pint, and as said, we can agree to disagree on the talent level coming back.

(for most of these players, teams would ask a pick/player in addition to Nylander, some others Leafs would require a pick/player)

- Boston: McAvoy (toronto adds)
- Philadelphia: Provorov
- Arizona: Keller (toronto adds)
- Columbus: Dubois (columbus adds)
- Colorado: Jost + Girard (toronto adds)
- Dallas: Heiskanen (toronto adds)
- Detroit: Mantha (detroit adds)
- Vegas: Glass (Vegas adds)

Personally I'd prefer Leafs adding a FW in exchange for Nylander over a D-man.
- plantheparade

From that list, who might be available? I would say Colorado, Detroit and maybe Vegas could make a trade like this but to me, still unlikely.

From that list, who might be available? I would say Colorado, Detroit and maybe Vegas could make a trade like this but to me, still unlikely.
- airjan23

Toronto has time.
The team can wait until trade deadline (if a non-playoff team like NYR) or even draft to trade away Nylander.
The biggest issue here is that Nylander holds some cards by not signing a new contract; right now he still has an influence what Leafs will do with him (where they'll trade him to).
What is 100% clear to me: September 2019 Nylander will be on another team (independently whether he still plays with Leafs this season or not).

I got the pint, and as said, we can agree to disagree on the talent level coming back.
- airjan23

You can disagree till you're blue in the face, you're wrong though. Skej had a good rookie year and was down last year and is down again this year. That doesn't help us win now. We'd have to hope that he finds his game form from 2 years ago. Not trading nylander on a hope, not mentioning that he's not a position we need.

Skeij is signed to a higher cap hit than Reilly.

You can disagree till you're blue in the face, you're wrong though. Skej had a good rookie year and was down last year and is down again this year. That doesn't help us win now. We'd have to hope that he finds his game form from 2 years ago. Not trading nylander on a hope, not mentioning that he's not a position we need.
- burn

I never advocated this deal. But also believe that you are selling Kreider short, especially if he continues the growth he has shown this season. The cap hit and pending UFA status after next season are likely the two components that preclude any deal. Will be an interesting next two weeks, rumor central will be on full perk.

Skeij is signed to a higher cap hit than Reilly.
- burn

2 more years of contracts left though..
it's like people being ok with nylander at 7.25mln/year; their argument is % of total cap hit

I never advocated this deal. But also believe that you are selling Kreider short, especially if he continues the growth he has shown this season. The cap hit and pending UFA status after next season are likely the two components that preclude any deal. Will be an interesting next two weeks, rumor central will be on full perk.
- airjan23

Kreider is 27y old.
he is done growing.
I think people in here undervalue Kreider (and role he could fill in on Matthews' line) - but should not expect to get anything else what he's shown last few years...

Skeij is signed to a higher cap hit than Reilly.
- burn

One signed his contract before the 16-17 season and one just signed his deal this offseason. What’s the % of the overall cap for each deal? That’s a better comparison. Plus, I think every Rangers fan would agree with you that Skjei has regressed from his rookie campaign. But when Rielly signed his deal, many thought his role would be a top-four shutdown defensive role under Babcock, the offense has been an unexpected benefit.

I say they sign him or he sits. I don't think they move him.

I say they sign him or he sits. I don't think they move him.
- RogerRoeper

Nylander is gone for sure after this season anyways, regardless he plays on Leafs team this season or not.

Nylander is gone for sure after this season anyways, regardless he plays on Leafs team this season or not.
- plantheparade

He's a complete pain in the ass.

I never advocated this deal. But also believe that you are selling Kreider short, especially if he continues the growth he has shown this season. The cap hit and pending UFA status after next season are likely the two components that preclude any deal. Will be an interesting next two weeks, rumor central will be on full perk.
- airjan23

Trying to sell a pending 28 yr old with only one more year left on his contract until ufa as "if he continues his growth" is pretty weak. Not looking for a 27-28 year old who is still looking for his game. What if he doesn't continue this growth at this stage of his career? What if he goes back to what he's been the majority of his career? He had a decent year 2 years ago, and then went back to his normal last year. He seems to be having a good year this year but what if it doesn't continue? How long will it last as a 28 year old going forward? How much is he going to cost going forward as a 28 year old ufa (suspect it'll be way overpaid)

2 more years of contracts left though..
it's like people being ok with nylander at 7.25mln/year; their argument is % of total cap hit
- plantheparade

That is correct

Trying to sell a pending 28 yr old with only one more year left on his contract until ufa as "if he continues his growth" is pretty weak. Not looking for a 27-28 year old who is still looking for his game. What if he doesn't continue this growth at this stage of his career? What if he goes back to what he's been the majority of his career? He had a decent year 2 years ago, and then went back to his normal last year. He seems to be having a good year this year but what if it doesn't continue? How long will it last as a 28 year old going forward? How much is he going to cost going forward as a 28 year old ufa (suspect it'll be way overpaid)
- burn

I agree with you that Skjei and Kreider are not on the same level as Nylander.

However, you have to realise that you need depth as well.

Leafs simply cannot fit in Nylander on this team at 7-7.5mln/year, ánd have enough room for other good players to fill 2nd/3rd/4th lines.

Look at the Oilers: they have McDavid (one of best in league) and Draisaitls and a few other contracts - just not enough room to have good depth.