The Toronto Maple Leafs are headed for a significant offseason this summer. After being perennial Stanley Cup contenders, Toronto has flatlined during the 2025-26 season. Due to poor play throughout the campaign, the club is set to miss the postseason for the first time in a decade. Because of this failure, team officials recently fired general manager Brad Treliving.
Treliving, however, may not be the only one in the organization to be released. There is speculation that head coach Craig Berube could be next. On top of managerial changes, the Maple Leafs are in desperate need of roster changes as well. Just how drastic these changes will be is the big question, though.
There were reports ahead of the March 6 trade deadline that Toronto was listening to offers for Matthew Knies. Superstar center Auston Matthews has also been linked with a move out west this summer. Potentially trading these players would send shockwaves through the NHL. While these moves are somewhat possible, William Nylander is not too thrilled about the idea.
The Athletic specifically asked the star winger about his future on April 1. Nylander told the outlet that he is willing to remain in Toronto, but there is a catch. “Unless it was a full rebuild and we were going to get rid of everybody, then it’s a different story,” Nylander told The Athletic. “Then you take that conversation then. But just to do a retool or whatever, I don’t even know, but I mean, I still want to be here, yeah.”
Toronto Maple Leafs Easing William Nylander’s Fears Over Rebuild
GettyWilliam Nylander’s future with the Maple Leafs could be tied to Auston Matthews.
Nylander went on to claim that Treliving informed him that the club would not be tearing it down this summer, but instead would undergo a retooling. The plan “sounded fine” for the star forward. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen if these intentions will be changed now that Treliving is not in place anymore.
Keith Pelley, the president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), eased these concerns during a recent press conference. The exec told media members on April 1 that the club only needs a retool, not a full rebuild. Things could, however, change if Matthews decides to leave Toronto this summer.
The Athletic went on to ask Nylander if his star teammate’s future will affect how he feels about the situation. “I mean, I haven’t really thought about it, like that far,” Nylander responded. “Once they just told me (rebuilding is) not what they want to do — like, try to keep winning here or try to start winning (Stanley Cups). If that point in time comes, then I’ll think about that then.”
Maple Leafs Hope Matthews, Nylander Want to Stay in Toronto
Finding the right GM will be crucial to Toronto’s offseason plans. Yet Matthews’ future is undoubtedly the biggest concern for the club this summer. The Maple Leafs may not want to undergo a rebuild, but Matthews could affect these plans by wanting out. Assuming the captain does need a change of scenery, it could very well start a domino effect within the team.
Nylander and Knies may not want to stick around if the superstar is not on the roster. All three players would have plenty of suitors if they became available. Nylander signed a massive eight-year, $92 million ($11.5 million AAV) contract extension with Toronto in January 2024. Much like Matthews, the winger has a full no-trade clause in the deal.
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