Trade rumor: Two options on the table for Leafs top forward

The Toronto Maple Leafs will face a tough offseason this summer and team management will have to make some even tougher choices. Several key players are set to cash in on a contract extension, but with young stars like Auston Matthews and William Nylander expected to sign long-term lucrative deals, some players will be sacrificed. 

According to Sportsnet's Doug MacLean, the tough decision ahead targets top forward James van Riemsdyk, who’s slated to become an unrestricted free agent in July. MacLean speculates van Riemsdyk could get around $6.5 million annually for six years on the open market and that will be a problem for the Leafs. 

Toronto cannot afford such a high price. Two options appear to be on the table for JvR. The first one is that the left winger might accept a discount to remain with the promising Leafs. It has been reported that Jack Eichel has done so to remain with the Buffalo Sabres, so this could be a possibility - if van Riemsdyk is willing to get less.

The second option is the trade route. If the Leafs are still in playoff contention by the Trade deadline, they might refuse to move JvR on the block at the time. However, they could try to ship him out eading up to July 1, perhaps for aquality top-four defenseman. 

Other players could be scarified to allow the Leafs to ensure sufficient cap room to re-sign their rising young stars. For now, van Riemsdyk is hearing his name on the market and could decide to make a move to put more money in his pocket. 

Several rival clubs, like the Boston Bruins, Anaheim Ducks and New York Rangers are said to be in the market for a top forward - Toronto looks like a good place to shop.