No. 1: Erik Karlsson
In a non salary-cap world, I’d happily take Karlsson but at $11.5M until 2027, it’s a hard pass. (Though if he had 75% salary retention like Ryan O’Reilly…….but for four years? Good luck with that).
Once upon a time, during the 2016-17 stretch, you could argue that Karlsson was the best player in the NHL. He is still the leading candidate to win the Norris Trophy this year.
His skating ability, mixed with his incredible offensive skills made him more valuable than almost any player. Not to mention that he could play 30 minutes per night in a playoff game if you needed him to.
Although he was still good after that stretch, his game definitely wasn’t at the peak that it was when he originally signed that $11.5M AAV contract.
However, he’s turned back the clock with 18 goals and 76 points in 58 games this year, and he could hit the 100 point mark for the first time in his career, which would be incredible.
Despite playing at this high-level, I can’t justify the contract, knowing how much you’ll have to give up to acquire him. He’s going to cost a high prospect, roster player and multiple draft picks.
I know how skilled he is, but Toronto would be making a mistake trading for Karlsson this year with so much salary-cap uncertainty in the future.