trading down.
Nylander got too much time left on his contract to retain %50 even with the cap going up 104M but could also be used to reach the cap floor.
I think they would have very little interest in trading down. They also don’t have another 1st to trade. Unless they trade their 1st for next year which could be a lottery pick because they could suck again so they would either not give it up or top 5 protect it.
Nylander is signed until 2030. 50% retained for an extra 1st or a top prospect is worth it. Leafs won’t need the cap space until 2030 anyway if they blow up the team. The floor would be way over 80 AAV by then.