Toronto Maple Leafs: Erik Karlsson Trade Rumours Headline the NHL Draft

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed David Kampf to a dubious contract extension earlier today.

The Toronto Maple Leafs also hold the 28th pick in tonight’s draft.

Who Cares?

The NHL’s 32 General Managers are congregated together in Nashville and some big trades are expected.

But the only thing anyone cares about is Erik Karlsson.

The high-scoring superstar defenseman scored 101 points last season on his way to a 3rd career Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defenseman.

Karlsson was also second in the league with 64 5v5 points.

The Toronto Maple Leafs almost have to trade for him.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Erik Karlsson Rumours Headline Draft

The San Jose Sharks are one of the NHL’s worst teams and will continue to be one of the worst teams for the foreseeable future.

They have no interest in a 33 year-old defenseman making $11.5 million dollars for the next four seasons.

They are definitely trading Karlsson, and how much he costs depends on how much money the Sharks are willing to eat.

If you could double-retain Karlsson, it would an insane advantage, but it’d cost a ton.

If you take on most of the deal, then you are taking all the risk and he’d likely be something approaching free.

So the question is what are the Toronto Maple Leafs going to do?

Adding Erik Karlsson makes them into the best team in the league by a country mile.  They already are in competition for the best roster and will enter next season as one of the best bets to win the Stanley Cup.

If they add Karlsson to a roster that already has Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, Morgan Rielly and William Nylander, it will be pure-insanity. The one thing the Leafs have been missing is a true superstar no-doubt #1 dman.

The chance to get one for nothing is available to them right now.  The risk is definitely worth it.

Last year on the 29th place team, a team which likely easily would have been the 32nd place team if not for Erik Karlsson, he broke even on his minute at 5v5.

The almost worst team in hockey broke even when Erik Karlsson played, and that was bad luck, because his Expected Goals nearly 53.5% (stats naturalstattrick.com). 

There has never been another lay up this easy available to a GM before.  Treliving takes over a top team with all their players in their primes, and all he has to do is add the free Norris winning (probable second) best defenseman in the world sitting right there.

Oh and also the Leafs pick 28th- should be a fun night.