Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas hasn’t held his position for long, but is already involved in the summer’s biggest contract stand-off. The NHL is just days away and it’s starting to look more and more likely as though restricted free agent William Nylander won’t be hitting the ice with his teammates any time soon, barring a new contract extension in the near future. But despite it all, Dubas has made it clear that he doesn’t plan on trading his talented young forward.
In an interview with the Stars’ Kevin McGran, Dubas made it clear that he hopes to see Nylander in blue and white this season.
The following is an excerpt from The Star
“I’ve been asked: ‘Do you want to trade him right now?’ And the answer is, ‘No,’ ” Dubas told the Star on Friday. “Circumstances can change. But it’s not in any plan or any discussion we’ve had that we’re going to trade any of these players.
The whole thing could obviously be a bluff, but there hasn’t been a whole lot of chatter (at least publically) about Nylander heading out of town. However, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun did explain on TSN 1050’s Leafs Lunch that the Carolina Hurricanes have inquired about the Swede.
He said the following:
“I can tell you that I know the Carolina Hurricanes are among the teams that have phoned of late to check in on William Nylander with the Leafs. Just in case. As they should, by the way. [Carolina asked] are you trading him? They were told no.”
Nylander’s status will be one to monitor over the coming weeks.
(H/T Kevin McGran)
