A year has passed since Brad Treliving took the helm as the General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and despite some questionable decisions, his latest move might be his most promising yet.
Treliving’s tenure has been mixed. While he’s added valuable players like Max Domi, Chris Tanev, and Tyler Bertuzzi (who was too expensive to retain), and Connor Dewar, none of these additions have been game-changers for the franchise.
Conversely, some of his decisions have raised eyebrows across the NHL, particularly the signings of David Kampf and Ryan Reaves for nearly a combined $4 million until the end of the 2025-26 season.
However, Treliving’s most recent move could be his best yet: the acquisition of Alex Nylander.
Brad Treliving May Have Made His Best Move as Toronto Maple Leafs GM
Although Alex Nylander isn’t a “franchise-altering” player, his signing represents a smart, low-risk, high-reward strategy. If Nylander performs well, he could be one of the best bargains in the NHL next season.
Currently, Nylander is slated to play for the Marlies, but the expectation is that he will excel in the AHL and earn a call-up to the NHL within a few months. After scoring 11 goals in his final 23 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets last season, there’s potential for him to make a significant impact with the Leafs.
Nylander’s contract carries no risk. Last summer, Treliving made a controversial decision to sign John Klingberg to a one-year, $4 million deal. Unfortunately, Klingberg underperformed and was injured for the season. Despite the outcome, the short-term nature of the contract meant the Leafs were not burdened long-term.
Similarly, if Nylander excels, the Leafs will benefit from additional secondary scoring at a low cost. If not, the Marlies gain a quality player for their roster this season.
This type of low-risk, high-reward contract is precisely what Treliving should be focusing on. Unlike committing multiple years to players like David Kampf, signing young players with significant potential on short-term deals is a wise approach.
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