Leafs Writer Offers Up A Major Trade Proposal Involving Erik Karlsson

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Austin Kelly
June 26, 2023 (12:00)

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A Leafs writer has made what might be the craziest Leafs trade rumor yet

Could the Leafs be in on Erik Karlsson?

As the leadup to the NHL Draft and Free Agent Frenzy begins to heat up, the rumors become bigger and bigger, and Shane Seney of 'The Leafs Nation' may have just come up with the biggest rumor of all. Seney offers up this proposal of a potential Erik Karlsson trade to Toronto.

To TOR - Erik Karlsson (50% retained)
To SJ - Timothy Liljegren, Matt Murray, Topi Niemela & Roni Hirvonen

It's already been reported that the Sharks are looking at offers for Karlsson, coming up a career-high 101 Points for the Sharks, a favorite to win this year's Norris Trophy, which would be the 3rd time Karlsson has won the award. It's a major gamble for Toronto, already struggling with cap space, looking to re-sign their "core four" of Auston Matthews, John Tavares, Mitch Marner & William Nylander in the next 2 seasons before they become free agents.

The Sharks, who hold the 4th pick in this year's NHL Draft, are in the midst of reshuffling their lineup, and may be in the hunt for 2024 Top Prospect Macklin Celebrini, and can afford to wait the return out, but the question on their end is if the return is enough. Liljegren will likely put up more than his 18 Points this season with more minutes in San Jose. Murray will get a good amount of games in an uncertain Sharks net, and Niemela and Hirvonen have shown potential as legitimate future options in the NHL.

The Leafs, already trying to figure out how to re-sign their top-four Forwards, would add another major long-term salary in Karlsson, who even retained, makes $5.75M until 2027, when he turns 37.

Both sides have good reason to do, and not do this trade. It'll all come down to what is the best value, and just how much value Erik Karlsson has left. But after this season, Karlsson has shown, there's still a bit left in his tank.