Wild trade proposed between Leafs and Oilers.

The Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs are both heading into the offseason looking to rid themselves of a similar problem, an underperforming veteran defenseman with a big contract. But what if the two teams were the solutions to one another's woes?

I am of course referring to Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse and Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly, both players with full no-movement clauses that have nonetheless become the subjects of rampant trade speculation. Both men have become lightning rods for criticism on their respective teams, especially due to their significant cap hits with Nurse coming in at an average annual value of $9.25 million per season while Rielly comes in at an average annual value of $7.5 million per season.

A wild trade proposal.

That is exactly what was recently suggested by Edmonton columnist Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal when Matheson submitted what seems like a wild trade proposal. From Matheson:

If so, to help with their cap space, the deal that might make the most sense is Nurse, 31, to Toronto for fellow left defenceman Morgan Rielly, 32.

Oilers and Maple Leafs talked Nurse at the trade deadline.

While that does sound outrageous at first, the idea may not be so far fetched. Earlier this week NHL insider David Pagnotta made comments that suggested these two teams may have at least had discussions about one piece of this proposed trade.

"Nurse's name was out there the week if the deadline, they offered him up to at least one team, that team said no, that team now has a new general manager," said Pagnotta on Oilers Nation very clearly hinting at the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Who wins the trade?

The upside for the Oilers in this trade is clear enough. Both men have the same term left on their current deals with contracts that run through the 2029-2030 National Hockey League season, which would mean the Oilers would save $1.75 million per season against the cap for each of the next four seasons.

That in turn would mean the Maple Leafs would be forced to take on an additional cap hit of $1.75 million per season, which would mean they would have to view Nurse as a significant upgrade over Rielly who is admittedly coming off what may have been the worst season of his NHL career.

In fact both men are coming off underwhelming seasons with Rielly putting up 11 goals and 25 assists for 36 points in 78 games this season. Rielly did so despite still being one of Toronto's most deployed defensemen, averaging just over 21 minutes of ice time a night this season.

Nurse had 7 goals and 17 assists for 24 points and played all 82 games for the Oilers this season. He saw a sharp uptick in penalty minutes with a career high of 104 on the season. He did so while again playing a prominent role on the Oilers blue line while averaging just under under 21 minutes of ice time this season.

Should the Oilers make this trade? Should the Maple Leafs? Let me know your thoughts on this wild trade proposal in the comments.