Quoting: Saskleaf
What 7 mil UFA are you going to find that is better than Nylander? I have a hard time seeing that you will.
Giroux, Malkin, sure Forsberg and Gaudreau might cost 2m more they can extended for longer term, and teams don't have to give up a 1st rounder and prospect as you prospect.
Then their are guys like Trocheck and Copp, Palat., Kane..cheaper than 7m and as players are they any worse than Nylander?
Bergeron and Marchment
Then there are lot good forwards who have just one or two years left till UFA...who could be traded. The Leafs are competing against those sellers too.
Miller, Tkachuk, Meirer Shiefele, Dubois, Kane, Larkin, Bertuzzi, Killorn, Pasternak
Gee, you make it sound like Nylander is the only prime value candidate for that teams would want. Sorry Leafs have have lots of competition in trading Nylander.