Toronto Maple Leafs: 3 Trade Destinations for William Nylander

Toronto Maple Leafs: 3 Trade Destinations for William Nylander

To San Jose Sharks: William Nylander and Timothy Liljegren

To Toronto Maple Leafs: Erik Karlsson (26% salary retained) and Quentin Musty

It is no secret that the San Jose Sharks are trying to trade Erik Karlsson and this may be the deal to do it.

This moves screams Khawi Leonard.

With the 26% salary retained, the Maple Leafs will get Erik Karlsson for the next four seasons at $8.5 Million and get their top pairing defenseman they have been trying to get for decades.

The reigning Norris Trophy winner was the first defenseman to collect 100-points in over 30-years when he reached the milestone this past season.

By acquiring Karlsson, the Maple Leafs should be able to explode on offense as he would be the first defenseman since Tomas Kaberle to truly be able to make an elite level first pass out of the defensive zone.

While some will be skeptical of his plus/minus and lack of defensive responsibility, Keefe can pair him with T.J. Brodie or Jake McCabe to let him go free.

Karlsson will be 34-years old during next years playoffs and the Maple Leafs are giving up two young players in the deal, so they get Quentin Musty in the deal.

The 6’2″ left winger was a late first round selection by the Sharks this past draft and is coming off 78 points in 53 games with the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League.

If the deal would to go down, the Toronto Maple Leafs would still need to find a way to cut some more salary and could end up with John Klingberg making $4.1 Million on the third paring.