MLive suggests Steve Yzerman poach Toronto “Core 4” forward

With the season for the Toronto Maple Leafs having come to an end at the hands of the eventual Eastern Conference champion Florida Panthers, a major change was already made in the front office as general manager Kyle Dubas was terminated by team president Brendan Shanahan. 

Meanwhile, plenty of fans are wondering about the futures of the "Core 4" with the Leafs, all of whom were close to Dubas. Auston Matthews, John Tavares, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander have all reiterated their dedication to Toronto and their desire to stay members of the Maple Leafs organization for the long haul. 

However, that may not necessarily be up to them when the team eventually brings in a new general manager. And one particular Red Wings beat writer has suggested that Detroit GM Steve Yzerman could take advantage of it to add some much-needed goal scoring up front. 

MLive's Ansar Khan has listed the potential possibilities of each member of their Core 4 heading to Hockeytown in a potential trade, with the Swedish-born Nylander making the most sense.

He writes: 

"This is the most sensible acquisition for the Red Wings. He’s 27 and coming off a career year (40 goals, 87 points) and is entering the final year of his deal at $6.9 million. If the Leafs hang onto the other three, they might not have the money or the appetite to re-sign Nylander for upwards of $10 million a season. They could look to move him by the draft (June 28-29). The Leafs have Boston’s first-round pick this year (No. 28) but not their own and none in the second, third or fourth rounds. The Red Wings aren’t likely to move their first pick (No. 9) but surely would be willing to part with the 17th (from the New York Islanders via Vancouver) and one or two of their second-rounders. Whatever it would cost, the Red Wings would need to sign him to an extension at the time of the deal." 

Nylander has one more season remaining on his contract that carries an annual average value of $6,962,366. In 521 career NHL games, all with the Leafs, he's scored 177 goals (including a career high 40 this season) and 253 assists for 430 career points.