Pucks and Pitchforks
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New Jersey Devils: 3 Toronto Maple Leafs Trades To Consider

By Vincent Parise

TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 04: Mitchell Marner #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs warms up prior to Game Two of the Eastern Conference Qualification Round against the Columbus Blue Jackets prior to the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff at Scotiabank Arena on August 04, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 04: Mitchell Marner #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs warms up prior to Game Two of the Eastern Conference Qualification Round against the Columbus Blue Jackets prior to the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff at Scotiabank Arena on August 04, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images) /
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New Jersey Devils, William Nylander
(Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

William Nylander would help the New Jersey Devils a whole lot as they try to score more.

The New Jersey Devils would get a lot out of having someone like William Nylander in their lineup. He would solidify the top six and be amongst their best players. He would also more than likely be at or near the top of their scoring lead by the time any given season is over. He is a bit overshadowed by players like Auston Matthews and John Tavares in Toronto but he would be one of the main guys in New Jersey.

Giving up two top-quality picks for Nylander would be smart for the Devils. The New York Islanders first-round pick that New Jersey owns is now going to be somewhere between picks 28-31 so getting it to the Maple Leafs isn’t a bad idea if someone like William Nylander is coming back. The second-round pick that also belongs to New Jersey from the Islanders is also something that would be easy to move in a trade like this.

Damon Severson gives them another high-upside option on defense. There have already been rumors the Maple Leafs have been curious about Severson. He’s someone who’s shown flashes of greatness while being maddeningly inconsistent. Maybe the Leafs think he fits better in their system and can become a star there.

Nathan Bastian is someone who is a good bottom-six forward but you move him in a deal like this if you have to. He might be exposed in the expansion draft anyway. He would be a cheap hard-nosed player that the Leafs need anyway. As for Nylander, he would probably get looks with both Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier as both try to continue their development into top-quality NHL centermen. It is a trade that would be hard to convince Toronto on saying yes, but trading a young defenseman who has proven his worth like Severson comes with a price. Adding in a 1st rounder and another prospect (who could be switched out with another prospect if the Leafs so choose), and it could be close to what they want.

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