Joined: May 2019
Posts: 1,797
Likes: 564
I think one thing we have all learned on this site is just because a Leafs fan made a trade doesn't mean it makes sense at all.
The Leafs don't have a gaping RHD hole like they have in the past. Trading Nylander for one season of Severson isn't going to make them a lot better. Zacha isn't really much help to the Leafs at all and a third round pick doesn't move the needle. I could see Toronto circling back to trading for Severson at the trade deadline if NJ is out of it. It wouldn't be for Nylander at that point, but some futures for sure. I don't see it happening in the offseason.
Trading Nylander is a dangerous idea for the Leafs. They need to create offence lower down in the lineup, and if they move him they either become a one-line team or break up the top line (which was a top-2 line in hockey last year). They need more depth scoring and play making from their wings (since outside of Matthews their centres lack that). Moving Nylander means they need to replace him, and there aren't a ton of Nylanders out there. He outplays his cap hit and has been getting better every season, no other fan base would be trying as hard to trade him as the Leafs do.