Tom Wilson and William Nylander linked in huge trade scenario!

There is a sense that more significant changes will come to the Maple Leafs after Toronto was eliminated in Round 2 of the postseason by the Florida Panthers. On Friday morning, it was announced that Kyle Dubas will not return as team general manager. 

When you add to that the tight salary cap, Auston Matthews’ historic contract extension coming and possible changes to the front office, you have to be willing to hear all rumours out there. And recently, there is one speculation involving forward Willam Nylander.

In Washington, things are not going according to plans for the Capitals, who wish to offer captain Alex Ovechkin another run at the Stanley Cup before he hangs up the skates. But the latest news point to Evgeny Kuznetsov wanting out and Nicklas Backstrom, Tom Wilson and Anthony Mantha still recovering from injuries, something big needs to occur for things to drastically change.

Enter Nylander.

RMNB suggests that the Capitals go after Nylander, who scored 40 goals and tallied 47 assists for the Toronto Maple Leafs last season. With changes coming to TO, the blog feels he might be available and it would be the right time for the Caps to strike, using the wise words of Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman:

“ This week on the 32 Thoughts podcast, Elliotte Friedman said that the Leafs will not “run it back,” which I think means they intend to change their lineup before next season. That will be the last season on Nylander’s current contract, which has a ten-team no-trade clause that will go into effect at the beginning of July. The team would therefore be most motivated to move him before then – probably before or during the NHL Draft, which begins on June 28.”

RMNB wonders if a Willy for Willy trade could be possible after comparing Nylander’s deal with Wilson. The only issue is Wilson’s status as he only played 33 games this season. But his physical defensive abilities would definitely be welcome in Toronto.

And so, could this be a trade scenario explored by both the Maple Leafs and the Capitals ahead of the NHL Draft?

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