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Penguins' Dream Trade Target Surfaces as Pressure Mounts on Maple Leafs to Make a Move


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Jack Sutherland
May 5, 2025  (8:35)
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William Nylander and Evgeni Malkin
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton

The Pittsburgh Penguins are being urged to take advantage of a delicate financial situation that the Toronto Maple Leafs are experiencing - could they bring in a top player?

The Pittsburgh Penguins are facing challenges to try and maximize the final few years of the careers of franchise icons Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kristopher Letang.
General manager Kyle Dubas has already made a major change in leadership for the franchise, parting ways with head coach Mike Sullivan; Pittsburgh is now one of several clubs looking for a new bench boss.
In the meantime, one notable NHL analyst is urging the Penguins to take advantage of a delicate financial situation involving Dubas' former club, the Toronto Maple Leafs.
ESPN's John Buccigross is openly expressing his wish to see the Penguins trade for Maple Leafs forward William Nylander, who recently was extended by the club to a lengthy 8-year, $92 million deal.
Marner is a fascinating thing. I don't see how you let him go. Whether you have to trade (William) Nylander, I just don't see how you let that guy go.
The Maple Leafs have to re-sign forward Mitch Marner during the summer or risk losing him on the free-agent market for nothing. Buccigross believes that Marner should be Toronto's priority, not Nylander, despite the latter already being under contract.
Marner is not a big goal scorer. But $14 million for a really good PK guy and a lot of assists. Man, he's smart, man he's so God damn smart.

An addition of Nylander wouldn't come cheap for Pittsburgh, but would also give them a top-10 winger to help the Penguins' Core 3 of players to make one last run at a title before they retire.
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MAI 5   |   208 ANSWERS
Penguins' Dream Trade Target Surfaces as Pressure Mounts on Maple Leafs to Make a Move

Should the Penguins attempt to trade for William Nylander?

Yes11555.3 %
No9344.7 %
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