The Toronto Maple Leafs do not have an elite defenseman, and Erik Karlsson presents an interesting option.
At Editor in Leaf, we have speculated dozens of times about the Toronto Maple Leafs landing the best offensive defenseman of his generation, Erik Karlsson.
In a recent post, Hockeybuzz’s Eklund posted that he had a source stating there could be a deal between the San Jose Sharks and the Leafs that would see “Nylander, pick and a “major prospect” for Karlsson and 2025 1st”.
Eklund has been known by his critics to have some wildly outrageous trades that he is hearing from sources. Typically, from what I have found, are that the trades he gets correct, are the deals that are either already completed or are being reported by several more credible sources, however some of his takes have been entertaining to read.
Are the Toronto Maple Leafs Interested In Erik Karlsson?
While the trade will never come to fruition, it would be interesting for Toronto. Karlsson who turned 33-years old just over a week ago is coming off an astonishing 101-point season for the Sharks.
There are several positives and negatives that would come from acquiring the two-time and possibly three-time Norris Trophy winner.
Starting with the positives: Karlsson is one of, if not the best offensive defenseman in the league over the last decade. If you take away his first two seasons in the league, he has averaged nearly 0.88 points per game.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have never had a true first pass defenseman on their team since Tomas Kaberle; and Karlsson would be just that. Karlsson could help the club retain the puck even more than what they already do and give the forwards a better opportunity to create offence.
The negatives would be that Karlsson comes with a cap hit of $11.5 Million for another four seasons. The Sharks would also be selling at absolute high on the Swedish defenseman after being nominated for the Norris Trophy for the first time since the 2016-17 season.
While it’s not impossible the Leafs could be interested in Karlsson, there is no way they are trading Nylander at the peak of his value for a 33-year-old defenseman with a horrendous contract.
As much as Karlsson’s comeback season was impressive, no one is paying top dollar for a 33 year old defenseman with an $11 million dollar cap hit, and San Jose might actually have to pay someone to take him, or at the very least, sell him at a major discount.
This trade rumour is never happening. The Leafs could trade Nylander, but for a younger player with less injury risk and a much lower cap hit.