Craig Berube Puts $92M Star Up for Sale — Believes It Will Help Maple Leafs Shake Up Their Roster and Secure a Better Player
Toronto, May 28, 2025 — In a jaw-dropping development that is sending shockwaves through the hockey world, new Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube has reportedly sanctioned the sale of star forward William Nylander, just months after the winger signed a blockbuster $92 million contract extension. The decision, aimed at overhauling the Leafs’ stagnant core, signals a seismic shift in the team’s roster strategy.
Nylander, who posted a career-best 45 goals and 84 points in the 2024–25 NHL season, was widely considered one of the team’s most consistent offensive weapons. Yet, according to sources close to the club, Berube believes moving the 29-year-old Swede could unlock critical cap space and pave the way for a more balanced, playoff-ready lineup.
“This isn’t about William’s talent — he’s an elite player,” Berube said during a media scrum on Tuesday. “But we’ve reached a point where this team needs to be retooled to compete in the postseason. Trading a high-value asset like Nylander could allow us to bring in a top-tier two-way center or a shutdown defenseman — areas where we’ve been exposed in the past.”
The bold move comes after the Leafs once again fell short in the playoffs, losing in the first round for the sixth time in eight years. Despite assembling a roster packed with offensive firepower — including Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and John Tavares — Toronto has consistently struggled to find playoff success, raising questions about the team’s construction.
Berube, hired earlier this month to replace Sheldon Keefe, has already made it clear that change is coming. Known for his gritty, hard-nosed coaching style that led the St. Louis Blues to a Stanley Cup in 2019, Berube is determined to reshape the team’s identity — starting with a controversial but calculated gamble.
“Sometimes the hardest decisions are the ones that bring the biggest rewards,” Berube said. “This team can’t afford to be sentimental. We’re here to win, and if that means making a bold move, so be it.”
The Leafs are reportedly fielding offers from several clubs, including the Los Angeles Kings, New Jersey Devils, and Seattle Kraken — all of whom have the cap flexibility and assets to make a serious play for Nylander. Rumors suggest Toronto is targeting a package that includes a top-four defenseman and a first-round pick.
Reactions from fans have been mixed. While some are applauding Berube’s willingness to shake up the status quo, others are outraged at the idea of trading one of the team’s most dynamic players — especially after his recent contract extension.
Nylander himself has not commented publicly, but sources close to the player say he is “surprised but not shaken” by the reports and remains committed to winning — wherever that may be.
As the offseason heats up, all eyes will be on Toronto’s front office. Whether Berube’s gamble pays off or backfires spectacularly, one thing is clear: the Maple Leafs are no longer playing it safe.
