3 Players Toronto Maple Leafs Should Not Consider Trading For

The Toronto Maple Leafs are not done dealing, but they shouldn’t trade for the following three players.

There were plenty of people who thought the Toronto Maple Leafs shouldn’t trade for Ryan O’Reilly, but I really don’t love that opinion.

He’s a proven winner, multiple 20-goal scorer is one of the best defensive forwards in the NHL. Even if he’s not scoring, he can affect the game in many different areas that people don’t really seem to value.

A flashy forward is an important piece but the Leafs already have four of them.

If Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares and William Nylander can’t supply a large portion of the offense, then why are they getting paid? Their main objective isn’t to stop the puck from going into the net, but instead it’s to score.

I’m all for adding another winger to this bunch, but the O’Reilly move will give this team so much depth as they head into the playoffs, as long as he’s their third-line centre. I don’t want him on the wing in the top-six, but would instead love him to stay in the bottom-six, giving the Leafs crazy depth down the middle.

There are a few options that would look really good in the blue-and-white, but we’re not going to talk about that today. Instead, we’re focusing on three players the Leafs shouldn’t trade for.

Here are three players the Toronto Maple Leafs should not trade for at the NHL Trade Deadline.

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.

No. 3: Max Domi

I’m a big fan of Max Domi and always will be, but he doesn’t fit the Toronto Maple Leafs roster this year.

There is nowhere for a one-dimensional, pass-first winger who can’t defend on this team.

As much a Karlsson would make a difference, his price-tag is way too high. As for Domi, although his price-tag makes sense, he just wouldn’t be a game-changing player that would impact a playoff series.  The Leafs aren’t hurting for scoring, so it is doubtful they are interested in a player so bad at defense.

Domi isn’t taking icetime from Kerfoot or Janrkrok (they are both way better defenders who only score slightly less) he might not even be a better option than Matthew Knies. Instead of giving up assets for Domi, the Leafs can just insert Knies into the playoff roster and he’ll probably be just as good as Domi.

Some people might love to see Domi in the line-up based on the fact that his dad was an icon here 20 years ago, but he just doesn’t fit the roster right now.

If you’re going to make another trade, it needs to be for a player like Timo Meier. Trading for Domi could help the team marginally, but if they’re going to make another move at the Trade Deadline this year, it needs to be for a difference-maker who will help them win a Stanley Cup.