Toronto Maple Leafs Are Rumored to Be in Trade Talks for Erik Karlsson

The Toronto Maple Leafs are still in trade talks to acquire Erik Karlsson in a trade with the San Jose Sharks, at least according to two sources.

Though talk of the Toronto Maple Leafs adding Erik Karlsson quieted down after the Leafs gave out a ridiculous contract to John Klingberg, it still makes sense for them to add the reining Norris Trophy winner and one of the best hockey players alive.

Just because the two players are both offense-first defenseman doesn’t mean that Klingberg comes anywhere close to helping the Leafs in the same way that Karlsson does.  The game of hockey cannot so easily be separated into offense and defense, and the fact is that each player should be measured on the sum total of their results, regardless of how those results are achieved.

Karlsson played on the 29th worst team in the league and his team won his minutes while he was on the ice.

John Klingberg also played on one of the worst teams, but when he was on the ice, he team got worse.

Having one doesn’t preclude getting the other.

Toronto Maple Leafs Are Still Rumored to Be in Trade Talks for Erik Karlsson

The first rumour about Karlsson comes from Eklund at Hockeybuzz.com.  

According to Eklund, the Leafs have the best package in place for Karlsson but are waiting on a Nylander trade.  I consider this source somewhat dubious, however Eklund has proven to have actual sources and as far as I know he doesn’t outright invent things, so there could be something here.

It does makes sense that the Toronto Maple Leafs would be interested in a player who is likely the 4th best player alive after McDavid, Matthews and Cale Makar.

Though of course, if there plan was to get Erik Karlsson, it was pretty weird to spend $11 million on David Kampf, John Klingberg, Max Domi and Ryan Reaves as that is exactly what Karlsson makes.

However, Matt Murray, TJ Brodie and Calle Jarnkrok combine to make roughly the same amount as Karlsson, so the Leafs can clearly make the money work if they want to.

The second rumour comes from  Swedish journalist Adam Johansson, via the thescore.com, (the original article is in Swedish, so I linked to the Score too).

This rumour says that Karlsson has himself been in contact with the Hurricanes, Penguins, Kraken and Leafs.

There don’t seem to be too many fans of what Brad Treliving has done to the Leafs since taking over, but if he can land Erik Karlsson he will instantly become a legend.

Here’s hoping he gets it done.