Is There Anyone Left Who’d Trade Maple Leafs William Nylander?

The post Is There Anyone Left Who’d Trade Maple Leafs William Nylander? appeared first on NHL Trade Talk. Only seven months ago, there were ideas to trade the Toronto Maple Leafs William Nylander. Is there anyone left who'd want that to happen? The post Is There Anyone Left Who’d Trade Maple Leafs William Nylander? appeared first on NHL Trade Talk.

Is There Anyone Left Who’d Trade Maple Leafs William Nylander?

The post Is There Anyone Left Who’d Trade Maple Leafs William Nylander? appeared first on NHL Trade Talk.

About seven months ago, there was an outcry that the Maple Leafs should trade William Nylander. Although there were several constructed narratives that would suggest Nylander was beyond a liability for his team, the most egregious offense was that he didn’t exert the extra push needed to have negated an icing call during the playoff series against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Nylander wouldn’t go to the dirty places on the ice. Nor would he put his body on the line by jumping into the path of a shot. And, make a hit – gosh no. Nylander wouldn’t go there – avoidance was better than bumping into anyone.

At least, that was the story.

William Nylander, Maple Leafs

But not negating icing! That offense became the focal storyline that grew into a chorus of “trade him” that started during this past offseason. Every perceived flaw Nylander might have was trotted out as one more reason that the organization should move him out of town.

Fans and writers alike jumped up into the wave. His flaws were highlighted; his mistakes were magnified; and, the reasons for losing him were organized. Nylander had to go.

Related: Three Takeaways from Maple Leafs’ 5-4 OT Win Over Flames

But the Maple Leafs Did Not Trade William Nylander

As it happened, the Maple Leafs’ organization wisely didn’t listen. The prevailing narratives were not their narratives. They didn’t blink, and Nylander came back for another season.

Given his success, I’m no longer hearing the trade Nylander rumblings. In fact, now, even the whispers are muted. Has the posse quit chasing him? Have his critics decided to lay off?

If so, good. The Maple Leafs’ brain trust (and now the fans) seem to know what they have in this sometimes enigmatic, but highly-skilled winger. He’s one of the top NHL players, and he has elite skills. Of course, he makes mistakes on the ice. Everyone does.

Flash Forward to Saturday Night Against the Flames

However, when Nylander has a game like the one he did Saturday night against the Calgary Flames, it’s hard to criticize any mistakes he might make.

On Saturday’s win over Calgary (the city in which he was born when his father Michael played for the Flames), Nylander set a new personal single-game, career-high point total. He had a point on every Maple Leafs’ goal.

And, because the team scored five goals, that gave him five points. Two points came from two goals; and, the other three points came from three assists. Of Nylander’s points, he scored a goal and added two assists on the power play.

His 17 goals tie him for seventh in the NHL this season with the Pittsburgh Penguins Sidney Crosby and the Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov.

Related: WHERE THE MAPLE LEAFS CURRENTLY SIT: 3 RANDOM CONSIDERATIONS

Nylander Had a Hot Week, Which Was Not Ignored by the NHL

Nylander’s week prior to his single-game explosion was also solid. On Thursday, he scored a goal and added an assist in the team’s 5-0 win over the Los Angeles Kings. Nylander’s success is shared with his teammates. He’s now playing on the Maple Leafs’ first line with center Auston Matthews and the team’s resident pest Michael Bunting.

Others are noticing also Nylander’s play. On Sunday, the NHL named him the third star of the week. After his big game on Saturday, Nylander this season has collected 17 goals and added 16 assists (for 33 points) in 29 games. That puts him on a 42-goal and 93-point pace. Both would be new career highs for him.

William Nylander, Maple Leafs

Once his $6.9-million salary looked like a huge expense. Now it looks like a team-friendly bargain. It’s way too early to ask, but what kind of a contract will this success set him up for when he’s an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2024?

Nylander Is a Different Player This Season

To say that Nylander is a different player this season than he’s been before hints that fans who thought he should have played better might have a point. Perhaps. But few can argue that Nylander isn’t giving the team exactly what it needs in the present. This is his best season by far.

He does look like a different player than he’s looked in the past. He’s even more skilled than he was. He’s working on defense and his calm demeanor on the ice remains. But, he also seems to be having more fun.

It won’t take many more games like Saturday night for fans to begin to think he could hit the 50-goal mark.

That begs the question: Are there still some fans or hockey writers who’d trade William Nylander? Perhaps, but I’m not one of them.

Related: Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Murray, Nylander, Marner & More

The post Is There Anyone Left Who’d Trade Maple Leafs William Nylander? appeared first on NHL Trade Talk.