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Toronto Maple Leafs: Make an Offer for Erik Karlsson

By John

OTTAWA, ON - APRIL 02: Ottawa Senators Defenceman Erik Karlsson (65) talks to Referee Graham Skilliter (24) during third period National Hockey League action between the Winnipeg Jets and Ottawa Senators on April 2, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - APRIL 02: Ottawa Senators Defenceman Erik Karlsson (65) talks to Referee Graham Skilliter (24) during third period National Hockey League action between the Winnipeg Jets and Ottawa Senators on April 2, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Now that the Toronto Maple Leafs has arguably the best forward core in the league, the critics are still just as loud as ever. 

They won’t let us forget that our defense is average at best and poor at worst.  But what if it didn’t have to be this way…at least for one season? The Toronto Maple Leafs could make a huge move.

A few days ago it looked almost certain that Erik Karlsson was going to be traded from the Ottawa Senators to the Tampa Bay “We have unlimited cap space” Lightning. With the Steve Yzerman inking Kucherov to a $9.5M extension and the growing belief that Karlsson will only resign in Tampa, there is a growing chance that he could be had as a rental. A rental, of course, would cost a team a lot less than if he signs an extension.

Erik Karlsson has one season left at a cap hit of $6.5M and a salary of $7.5M (capfriendy.com). The Maple Leafs have a ton of cap space next (this?) season and are ready to contend.  What if…now bear with me here…the Leafs made an offer to Ottawa for Karlsson for the season.  What would your best offer look like?

Undoubtedly, the last thing the Senators want to do is play Karlsson six times a season. But Dorion seems quite open to dealing with that for the next nine seasons in Tampa. So why not one season in Toronto? The Senators are already going to be a terrible team, why not listen to an offer.

If I am Kyle Dubas, maybe I don’t make an over the top offer, but I might make some type of offer.

What would an offer from Dubas look like?

Trade Offer

Without further ado, I present my best offer:

  • Garret Sparks
  • One of Travis Dermott, Rasmus Sandin or Timothy Liljegren (Senators option)
  • First round draft pick (2019)
  •  First round draft pick (2020)

Let’s start from the top with Garret Sparks who had a 31-9-2 season with the Toronto Marlies last season. Ultimately winning the Calder Cup posting a 2.22 GAA in the playoffs. He won the equivalent of the Vezina in the AHL this season and will have to go through waivers to get back down to the Marlies.  The high unlikelihood of him clearing waivers puts the Maple Leafs in a tricky situation with an influx of goaltenders. This could be a great way to possibly get your future #1 goaltender in Ottawa for cheap. It will also give Filip Gustavsson the time that he needs to properly develop which will be in time for the other two pieces of this deal to be NHL ready.

The next is an option for Dorion. He can choose from one of the Leafs main defensive prospects.  It would be tough to give up any of them, but for a Stanley Cup, it’s not that hard of a call to make.

The Senators do not have a first round pick in 2019 because of their trade for Duchene.  Being in a rebuild, a 2019 first is vitally important to the restocking of the shelves in Ottawa and almost a must in any deal for Erik Karlsson. Even if it is the 31st overall. In this scenario, the Senators would get the  Leafs next two first round picks.

This deal could become 2 first rounders, a future top four defenseman and the best AHL goalie last season who is only 25 years old. All for one season with Erik Karlsson.

Next: Best Late Round Gems in Leafs History

If you are Kyle Dubas, would you make this offer? It’s an awful lot to give up for one season of a player, but with Karlsson in the fold, the Leafs would essentially look like a fantasy team.

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