Detroit Red Wings: 3 ways to trade for William Nylander

The Detroit Red Wings should go out and make a trade to acquire William Nylander from the Toronto Maple Leafs.

As the offseason ramps on for the Detroit Red Wings, it is time to start making some moves. The trade that needs to be made is for an impact player. While the Toronto Maple Leafs have shown that they are open for business, General Manager (GM) Steve Yzerman needs to make a call for William Nylander and see what he will cost.

The Maple Leafs are going to be in some hot water for the 2020-21 season, given the league implementing a flat salary cap. With their payroll being flooded by three top talents, four counting Nylander, moves are going to have to be made.

While poaching Maple Leafs talent has been a plan, the likely option of poaching Kasperi Kapanen is no longer there, as he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Maple Leafs sent Kapanen and two others from the AHL club over to the Penguins for Evan Rodrigues and a first-round pick plus prospects.

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Given Nylander’s success with the Maple Leafs, especially in 2019-20 while he was able to flourish playing alongside Auston Matthews or John Tavares on one of the top two lines. Nylander played in 68 games, where he tallied 31 goals and added 28 helpers for 59 points.

He has blossomed in his abilities in the offensive zone, creating scoring chances by going to the front of the net and finding the puck.

He ultimately has become more of a net-front presence, while still maintaining skills by carrying the puck and putting shots on net.

The Red Wings should go out and try to make a push to trade for one of the Maple Leafs top guns in the form of Nylander. Looking ahead at financials alone, Nylander is going to be taking home nearly $7 million through the 2023-24 season.

Option #1: Use draft picks as the primary piece(s).

The first way that comes to mind to try and acquire Nylander would be pushing a trade package focused on draft capital. Going a bit radical and throwing the Maple Leafs, the fourth overall draft pick, as well as a third-round pick either in 2020 or 2021, could be considered in front office discussions.

They could pair the draft picks with someone from the minors like Evgeny Svechnikov or a more ample veteran name like Luke Glendening. If things got even more off the wall, the Red Wings could swap out the previously mentioned third-round picks for a second-round pick in 2020, given that the organization has three.

Draft capital is quite valuable, given that the Red Wings have a lot of it in 2020, why not help fund the Maple Leafs 2020 draft while acquiring Nylander in the process.

Option #2: Use prospects as the primary pieces

This one may not be as much of a favorite with the fans, but the Maple Leafs may want to try and reload their crop of players coming into the league. If the Red Wings come to the table willing to move someone like Michael Rasmussen, things could get interesting.

While Rasmussen would surely not be the only piece of the trade, he could be paired with someone like Dennis Cholowski, and tack on some less valuable draft picks to feel things out. Obviously, given Nylander is one of the top talents for the Maple Leafs, it is going to take a lot.

It could be tough to come up with an offer that satisfies the Maple Leafs without dropping too much capital from the prospects of this organization but sacrificing one of the better-rated prospects to ensure the organization gets Nylander, is worth it.

Option #3: Tyler Bertuzzi

While this idea sort of defeats the purpose of the trade, it could be what the Maple Leafs are looking for. While Tyler Bertuzzi is a restricted free agent due for a raise, he is a player similar to Nylander and might be enticing for the Maple Leafs.

Acquiring Nylander would be more for the benefit of the Red Wings core of forwards, but giving up Bertuzzi would not be in the best interest of the current forwards. It is an option the Red Wings have, but it is not the preferred one that is for sure.

It could be considered as keeping Anthony Mantha with Dylan Larkin should be a priority for the Red Wings. With the recent re-signing of Robby Fabbri, Nylander could play alongside him to hopefully get things going. Sending Bertuzzi’s name out in trade talks should be last-ditch, and only if the Red Wings truly want Nylander but cannot come to an agreement.

All-in-all, the Detroit Red Wings, need to make a splash this offseason, either a signing or trade, but something needs to be done to ensure that the roster sees some boost for the 2020-21 season.