NHL Rumors: Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, Vancouver Canucks

Welcome to another edition of Full Press Hockey’s NHL Rumors! The 2022-23 season is over and now the focus shifts toward the new season.

What about free agency? The NHL draft is in the books. Trades and free agency began July 1st as teams look to make improvements to their rosters. In this Wednesday’s edition of NHL Rumors, we will look at Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, and the Vancouver Canucks.

Toronto Maple Leafs – William Nylander

Rumor: Per – Erik Beaston – bleacherreportcom. The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported that the Toronto Maple Leafs and forward William Nylander are far apart on an extension for the 27-year-old star.

With the summer chatter still sizzling after the holidays, here's a quick update on the #LetsGoCanes with Tarasenko & Pesce trade talk, #SJSharks Erik Karlsson discussions with Carolina & #LetsGoPens, and #LeafsForever cap issues & Nylander/Matthews, presented by @betwaycanada. pic.twitter.com/s8ckHkhKQM

— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) July 5, 2023

It goes without saying that Nylander is a star player who tallied 40 goals, 47 assists and had his best shooting percentage since the 2015-16 season. Five of those goals were game-winners, reflecting his ability to deliver in big spots. Attempting to replace such a player may be close to impossible. The issue at hand is Nylander feels he is worth a contract in the $10 million range, and the Leafs as per usual are in cap hell. They currently are $8.83 million OVER the cap limit of $83.5 million. Of course, they may be factoring in that Jake Muzzin will remain on long-term injury reserve and his $5.63 million cap hit can reduce the team’s dilemma.

Then again, when one considers that a new deal for Auston Matthews must be worked out, new GM Brad Treliving has his work cut out for him. Dealing Nylander may be a last resort, and according to LeBrun, “as talented a player as Nylander is, what the Leafs have found out this week is that his trade market isn’t nearly as robust as we might have predicted. There’s just no cap room out there, and any team trading for Nylander would want him extended.”

“Whether it succeeds or not remains to be seen but absent a trade partner that is willing to pay up to extend Nylander (and is not on his list of 10 no-trade candidates), the team must work on presenting the forward a deal that is both team-friendly but also reflective of the contributions of the player.”

Ottawa Senators – Vladimir Tarasenko

Rumor: Per – Jim Parsons – nhltradetalk.com. Trading Alex DeBrincat opens the door for the Senators to go after Tarasenko.

The Senators after trading away DeBrincat to the Detroit Red Wings are in need of a new top-six forward. It was thought that Tarasenko was about to sign with the Carolina Hurricanes, but that fell apart, at least for now. Tarasenko decided to change representation and he still could be headed to Carolina. The Sens are keeping their radar active to the situation so they know where they stand. They have just over $5 million in cap space and the current estimate to sign the covered Russian sniper comes in at about the same figure over a three-year term.

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun said, “I really think that’s the avenue they’re going to try to go down. Whether that’s going to work or not, I’m not sure. I think the Carolina Hurricanes are still in there.” 

Tarasenko can certainly fill the vacancy. He has collected 270 goals, 304 assists in 675 career games. He is strong on the power play as well where he has added 66 goals and 93 assists. His 0.85 points per game is just above what DeBrincat averaged at 0.83. In other words, the Sens wouldn’t be losing any offense by adding Tarasenko. The only downside would be the age difference which amounts to a six-year difference, with Tarasenko the senior.

This is going to be close, but GM Pierre Dorian had better not blink since the Canes are also in the hunt.

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Vancouver Canucks – Conor Garland

Rumor: Per – Joe Yerdon – bleacherreport.com. After being in NHL rumors for so long, will Garland request a trade now?

After some constant success in Arizona where he was a fan favorite, Garland was dealt to Vancouver in the Oliver Ekman-Larsson trade. In his two years with the Canucks he has scored 36 goals, 62 assists in 158 games. His contract is set at $4.95 million good through the 2025/26 season. The combination of the lack of team success, his production decreasing and ice time being reduced could precipitate him asking for a trade.

Like many players, there comes a time in their career that they need a change in scenery. It can make a world of difference in their level of play and attitude toward the game. He may work out better somewhere with a team who lacks energy because he has plenty of that to offer.

The main reason the Canucks may not be objecting to such a trade request is they are hurting for cap space. They are in the hole with $-4.34 million and have $5.75 million tied up in LTIR for Tanner Pearson ($3..25M), and Tucker Pullman ($2.5M). Losing Garland’s cap hit (or reducing it) could give them the flexibility to make other moves. Right now, their hands are tied.

One thing is certain, wherever Garland ends up he will be the spark plug that runs the team’s energy level to the limit. He never gives up on the puck and goes after it like a guided missile. Then again, he could just stay in Vancouver.

That concludes this edition of NHL rumors. Be sure to catch our next article, and thanks for reading!