After the Toronto Maple Leafs were eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs in May, attention immediately turned to core players such as Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and William Nylander.
The prevailing thought of many, after another postseason washout by the Toronto Maple Leafs, was that a major shakeup was needed. Someone from the “Core 4” had to go.
Despite a down season, Matthews and his collection of NHL hardware would not be going anywhere unless he suggested it. Captain Tavares said he would not waive his no-movement clause.
So, Nylander and Marner became the focus of speculation around a trade.