William Nylander is reportedly making an equipment change to combat debilitating migraines he has been suffering. As a means of mitigating and overcoming these migraines, Nylander is switching to a tinted visor full-time in '22-23.
Nylander, who will be 27 at season's end, is a polarizing enough player for fans, and his new tinted visor will only add to the polarization. His offensive output is undeniable, with 80 points in 81 games in 2021-22, plus another 7 points in the Leafs' series against Tampa Bay.
In addition to his strong output, Nylander's underlying analytics have been exceptional since he entered the league in 2015. What turned fans on him, was his contract hold out of 2018, when he signed on the final day of eligibility. Currently in his fifth year of that six-year deal, Nylander's name has been resident to the trade block for a while, and considering his modified no-trade clause kicks in next year, '22-23 could be the year he finally gets moved.
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Toronto's most popular criticism is that their core-four forwards earn 49% of the team's total salary cap. The team's defense and goaltending have needed work for years that they have not received, thanks to lack of available funds.
Perhaps, this season GM Kyle Dubas looks to flip one of them for help somewhere else in the lineup. Of Toronto's core-four -- Matthews, Marner, Tavares, and Nylander -- frankly, none of them make sense to trade. Each of their value exceeds what a likely return would resemble, and trading any of them leaves the team at risk of being top-heavy.
Still, Dubas needs to free up cash, and one of these forwards would achieve that end. An unenviable position, Dubas is in his final year, so who knows what lengths he is willing to go to secure his own position.
With a new look for '22-23, Nylander's spot in the Maple Leafs' lineup should be considered safe, but that does not mean another team will refrain from poaching him.
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