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Can William Nylander Fix the Maple Leafs — or Is He Their Best Trade Chip?

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | By Garit Reid | Last updated Mar 13, 2026 10:49 AM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs aren’t playoff-bound, but William Nylander has been a beacon of consistency this season. The forward currently leads the team in points and is just in the second year of his massive eight-year, $92 million contract. Once seen as ‘untouchable’, there are questions about his future. Should the Leafs hold onto Nylander or trade off his big contract?

Why the Leafs Need to Keep Nylander

The Maple Leafs have had an inconsistent year with injuries to players like Matthew Knies, Chris Tanev, and, most recently, their captain, Auston Matthews. Throughout the season, Nylander has been a consistent scorer. Yes, Nylander has a massive contract, which includes a no-movement clause, but the Maple Leafs need leadership. Right now, that can only be addressed through strong play from a top player. That top player is Nylander.

Why the Leafs Should Trade Nylander

The obvious reason why the Leafs should trade Nylander is his massive contract. If Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving is looking to ‘rebuild’ or ‘retool’, he will need some cash to acquire multiple draft picks and an additional defenseman, which the Leafs sorely need.

At the end of the day, the NHL is a business, and it runs on money. Nylander is a talented player, but if the Leafs are looking to move in a new direction, they may need to unload Nylander’s contract to do it.

To Trade Or Not To Trade

When it comes to trading a star player, two fundamental truths always come into play. Nylander has been a consistent, high-level scorer, and that kind of production isn’t easy to replace. There’s always the risk that whatever players come back in a trade simply won’t match the scoring he provides.

On the other hand, if Nylander isn’t moved, the Toronto Maple Leafs may have limited options to improve the roster. The team could use help on defense and a few depth pieces to round out the lineup. Still, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of a big trade.

It will be interesting to see what direction the Leafs choose to take this offseason.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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