Erik Karlsson to the Toronto Maple Leafs: A Surprising New Development Has Surfaced
Photo credit: Imagn Images
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson could be traded soon, and with two years left on his deal, the Toronto Maple Leafs could have some interest.
Erik Karlsson is one of the best offensive defensemen in the entire NHL, and that remains true despite him now being 35 years old.
The defenseman is currently entering the final two years of his eight-year, $92 million deal. While the AAV is $11.5 million, his cap hit due to salary retention is only $10 million.
Last season, he had 11 goals and 53 points. Having said that, it would appear as though the Penguins are interested in trading him. They have a rebuild to start, and former Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas needs to get his show on the road.
Is Erik Karlsson being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs?
According to a report from RG.com, an NHL source is saying the Toronto Maple Leafs are shockingly a real candidate for Karlsson.
There's more than just hearsay when it comes to the Leafs and Erik Karlsson right now.
There's probably going to be salary retained, but the thought that there's some kind of bad blood between Dubas and the Leafs still that would prevent something like this is crazy.
This is a business, and if there's enough interest from both teams and they figure out the cap hit and money, then that's all that matters.
There's probably going to be salary retained, but the thought that there's some kind of bad blood between Dubas and the Leafs still that would prevent something like this is crazy.
This is a business, and if there's enough interest from both teams and they figure out the cap hit and money, then that's all that matters.
With the Leafs also interested in Dougie Hamilton, it is clear that they want an offensive right-shot defenseman. Karlsson is just that and then some.
Look, Brendan Shanahan is gone, and the guy that replaced him wants and needs to take this team deep in the playoffs.
This isn't about Dubas' history with the Leafs, it's about winning and business. That's why the Leafs are interested in a guy like [Dougie] Hamilton.
They need that offense from the backend; they need that guy on the power play. Can they make the cap hit and cap space work?
That's what matters here, and the Leafs gotta make up that offense with [Mitch] Marner gone.
This isn't about Dubas' history with the Leafs, it's about winning and business. That's why the Leafs are interested in a guy like [Dougie] Hamilton.
They need that offense from the backend; they need that guy on the power play. Can they make the cap hit and cap space work?
That's what matters here, and the Leafs gotta make up that offense with [Mitch] Marner gone.
Of course, the Leafs would have to give up a lot to get him, and they don't exactly have a ton of assets.
Meanwhile, their cap space is pretty pitiful right about now, so we're not so sure how they would even make him fit, even with salary retention.
Whatever the case, this could be an interesting move, and we're just going to have to wait and see what happens next.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 9 | 484 ANSWERS Erik Karlsson to the Toronto Maple Leafs: A Surprising New Development Has Surfaced Do you believe Erik Karlsson will be traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs? | ||
| YES | 137 | 28.3 % |
| NO | 347 | 71.7 % |
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