NHL Insider thinks the Leafs will move a big contract this summer
It was bound to happen at some point given the Leafs lack of playoff success in recent years, but the global pandemic has seemingly brought the thought of moving one of Matthews, Tavares, Nylander and Marner to the forefront. Given the flat cap until the 2024 off-season and with various players in need of new contracts, the Leafs simply do not have the cap room to keep multiple key pieces with the big 4 taking up valuable cap space.
It won't be Tavares or Matthews, so it comes down to Marner and Nylander. Neither have trade protection until the 2023/24 season so moving them would be relatively easy in a sense. TSN's Chris Johnston was on Overdrive today and speculated that one of them would be moved in the off-season, regardless of playoff success this season, to free up much needed cap room.
Dubas and company have likely already had discussions about the off-season and how to gain cap flexibility and, given the cost to obtain a player like Brandon Hagel at the deadline, trading either of Marner or Nylander would fetch the Leafs a king's ransom. Trading either would allow the Leafs to keep their cup window open and bolster a few more positions, replenish the prospect pool and restore some draft capital, depending on the return.
Nylander's contract is much easier to move than Marner's but Marner would certainly get the Leafs a greater return. The only way around keeping the big 4 would be to deal Alexander Kerfoot and Petr Mrazek, as combined, they make more than Nylander - but the return would not be nearly as strong. Regardless, it will be an interesting off-season for the Leafs whenever they get there.
| POLL | ||
MARS 28 | 571 ANSWERS NHL Insider thinks the Leafs will move a big contract this summer Who would you rather the Leafs trade? | ||
| Nylander | 293 | 51.3 % |
| Marner | 48 | 8.4 % |
| Mrazek & Kerfoot | 230 | 40.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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