Quoting: Affectionate_Side_64
The Leafs don't have to do anything, but if they don't sign or trade him, that means one of our most valuable players walks for nothing; that is simply poor asset management, so it's not as if you're on the side of logic here. I'll also say that even if they knew they weren't going to be able to sign him after this year, they'd still be better off to keep him as an own rental rather than trading him for futures, given their current window. This is not a trade for futures, it's a trade for a player who would be a 1st line winger this year and beyond.
Of course Nylander is the better player, that's not really a matter of opinion. The question is whether the ~3 mil in additional cap would outweigh the difference between Forsberg and Nylander, and I believe it would, given that our greatest need is at defense, especially beyond this year.
No, I don't think you're on the side of logic. I don't what it about so many Leafs fans.....Leafs sign Bertuzzi, Domi, Brodie, Jarnkrok, Samsonov, Jones, Benoit and others as UFAs, and didn't give up anything for them but somehow the Leafs are entitled to compensation for a UFA. No, the Leafs are better, and I know it's subjective, having Nylander this season, and not having Forsberg, and have 8.5m to spend on another UFA for six seasons.
And even if the Leafs keep Nylander this year, and do not resign him. Well let's say the Leafs have 10m allotted for Nylander, well that's just 10 million for other player(s), so it's not like Leafs get nothing in return for not having Nylander next season.