Toronto Maple Leafs: The Karlsson Fantasy Trade Scenario

There is a very low probability the Toronto Maple Leafs will acquire Erik Karlsson.

First of all, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators are divisional and provincial rivals. Were Ottawa forced to move Karlssson, you’d have to think the Leafs would be 30th on the list of teams they’d consider making this trade with.

Secondly, he’s going to cost a ton – both in terms of signing him and trading for him. Third: fantasies like this just don’t come true.

But what if? Yeah, it’s crazy, but sports is supposed to be fun, so indulge yourself!

Erik Karlsson on the Toronto Maple Leafs

Erik Karlsson is the best defenseman of his generation. He is the best NHL defenseman since Nick Lidstrom, and he ranks with Dennis Potvin and Bobby Orr among the all-time greats. However good you consider Erik Karlsson to be, he is likely better.

He is a possession monster, he blocks a ton of shots, he scores at will. If the Senators had won a Cup recently, he’d likely be considered at the level of Sidney Crosby. He’s that good. His scoring is insane, and that is without even factoring in the low-scoring era in which he’s doing it. Bobby Orr once scored 139 points in 78 games – and this was when goalies just wrapped licorice around themselves in place of pads.

Had Karlsson been playing in the 70s or 80s, he’d probably have posted similar numbers. Maybe he’s not quite as good as Bobby Orr, but you could make a case that he is a top five all-time NHL defenseman.

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Which brings me to this point: If you have the chance to get him, you have to do it. It’d be worth whatever it costs.

Trade Talk

I firmly believe that despite recent talk, Erik Karlsson will sign in Ottawa when he is eligible to sign an extension. I believe this is July 1st 2018. Even if he doesn’t I don’t think a trade will go down before that. What team is going to pay the cost to trade for him without being able to sign him to an extension first? Probably none.

So let’s just say he is being traded and for some reason the Senators will send him to Toronto. What is the cost?

I think you’re looking at a bare minimum of Mitch Marner, Timothy Liljegren and two firsts. And I still don’t even think would guarantee a trade. You might still need to add prospects and picks to make it happen.

So is a trade like this worth it?

I’d say it is. Erik Karlsson would instantly become the best player in the history of the Toronto Maple Leafs – that’s how good he is. Perhaps in time Auston Matthews would take that title, but honestly, the best player in Leafs history to this point – Mats Sundin – is not as good as Karlsson.

I think a team build around Matthews and Karlsson would be unstoppable. It’s a fantasy, I admit. But it’s really fun to think about. The cost is enormous, but realistically, if you have a chance to add an all-time great to your roster, you go for it.

Next: Leafs Need to Run and Gun

But that’s just me. If I was GM i’d take insane risks. What do you say?

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