Quoting: MG1986
I doubt it's that simple, Logan. At this point, with how this young season has gone so far, the Leafs don't have issues scoring, it's keep the puck out of their own net and holding leads that the issue. I am of the opinion that what the Leafs need is solid defenseman and the only way we get that is by trading one of our young scorers. For obvious reasons, Nylander seems like the ideal choice to me.
They need someone other than Hainsey to play with Rielly. That is the one thing they need more than anything else.
Rielly is a top pairing defenceman, he needs a real partner.
Hainsey has been utterly terrible so far this season, in all aspects of the game. He should not be in the lineup.
Zaitsev has been the Leafs best defender so far (well at least the most consistent)
Gardiner is the same as he's always been, he'll make 20 good plays a game and 5 mind blowing terrible ones. Ride him out until the end of the season and let him walk.
Dermott has looked like a rookie at times but has the speed to cover it up at least. I don't at all doubt he'll tighten things up quickly.
Ozhiganov also looks like a rookie out there, give him a little while to get the north american game figured out
Marincin/Holl who know what these guys will be, but either is an upgrade over Hainsey at least.
The real issue to my eyes is careless play in their own end. Not just the defence, its been the forwards too, Matthews has had a few really bad plays so far. Although Ennis was the weak link there for a while. The wingers still are always on their way out of the zone before the Leafs have full control of the puck and that is putting too much pressure on the defence.
So with all that said, trading Nylander for defensive help is going to look bad. He's an elite player and he'll be traded for an okay defenceman, regardless of what the improvement defensively is, you are losing elite offense for an improvement that can be made for far less. Christ Tanev, won't cost you Nylander, he may not even cost a roster player. Hell give a 1st rounder and Vancouver may even retain cap space.