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Analyst Calls for Maple Leafs to Explore Franchise-Altering Trade Involving William Nylander


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Ryan Smitheram
May 28, 2025  (2:17 PM)
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William Nylander takes questions from reporters
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski Imagn Images

After another disappointing exit from the playoffs, the Maple Leafs are expected to make significant changes, one of which may involve a William Nylander trade.

As the Maple Leafs prepare for an off-season full of change that began with the dismissal of Brendan Shanahan and may well continue with Mitch Marner heading to market on July 1st, there has been no shortage of outrageous trade proposals from fans and the media.
One of those suggestions came from former NHL goaltender turned analyst Darren Pang on Tuesday's edition of TSN 1050's 'OverDrive'. Pang suggested that the most impactful change that the Maple Leafs could make is dealing William Nylander.
In suggesting the idea, Pang, who is often between the benches for St. Louis Blues games, and has seen the type of players Leafs head coach Craig Berube gets the best out of, noted that it is Nylander who doesn't quite fit the bill for Berube's coaching style. He believes that Marner better embodies what Berube likes, given his two-way play.
"For me, the way that Chief coaches... a big move would be Willy Nylander. I think there is a style of play that's not working and I think the guys that get the heat all the time -- Marner -- I think he plays a pretty determined two-way game.

I don't see it from Willy. I see a guy that can skate real well, make a play, gets open... You want to blow things up? Make a move that you can get one player out and get two players back. Lacking some depth in the top nine. You might not have John Tavares, you won't have Mitch Marner from the sounds of it..."
Pang Is Not The Only Reporter Suggesting That The Leafs Should Deal A Player With Term On His Contract
As unlikely as it is for the Leafs to explore trading their captain, it is just as unlikely for them to explore dealing their most consistent player from this past season and most consistent playoff performer over the last nine seasons, especially given the fact the 29-year-old Nylander just finished the first year of an 8-year extension that he signed in January last year.
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Analyst Calls for Maple Leafs to Explore Franchise-Altering Trade Involving William Nylander

Which of the following star players would you be most willing to trade out of Toronto?

Nylander137720.5 %
Matthews222633.1 %
Knies1352 %
None of the above297944.4 %
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