Once the trade deadline is all said and done, it seems like some NHL insiders and general managers are less worried about keeping moves and attempted trades secret. The deal is done, now, let’s move on.
However, we don’t know if Leafs fans will move on quickly from this. Let write it here and let us know what you think - it’s always hard to predict what will please you ;)
On Monday at the deadline, young prospect Jonathan Dahlen was traded to the San Jose Sharks for 19-year-old prospect Linus Karlsson. The Canucks’ youngster had reportedly demanded a trade, and it seems like it wasn’t the first time Vancouver attempted to move him.
On Tuesday night, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed on the air of Vancouver’s Sportsnet 650 that he was also mentioned as part of a trade that would have seen the Toronto Maple Leafs ship forward William Nylander to Vancouver back in November during the contract dispute.
“I will tell you this: The one thing I did hear yesterday was that in the eleventh hour of the whole Nylander situation back at the end of November/beginning of December, I think the Canucks tried to get him. And I believe Dahlen was in the package. I don’t think Toronto was particularly interested in him.
“I really hesitate to give up on young kids. I think that this has been a tough year. The one thing I always try to remember is what a complete cementhead I was when I was in my early 20s. I would just say that if this guy was having a rough year, and it sounds like he sure was, I personally don’t write off anyone who has maybe a rough situation early in their careers.
“Now, the Canucks know him better than we do. They have better intel on him than we do. I can just tell you that I don’t think Toronto was really interested in him as part of that package for Nylander, and I do think his - I don’t know - the belief in him around the league is definitely down.
“But that doesn’t mean it’s over.”
As we all know, Nylander ended up signing a six-year, $45 million contract at the start of December, at the RFA deadline. Toronto had several requests for the services of Nylander, however, GM Kyle Dubas was never tempted by any. Most rumours involved the Carolina Hurricanes, so it is new to hear that the Canucks made an offer as well…
