Erik Karlsson’s future is one of the more interesting names in the latest NHL rumor cycle, and Toronto keeps coming up in the conversation.
Elliotte Friedman said a source he spoke with this summer believes there is a legitimate possibility Karlsson could end up with the Maple Leafs, depending on how things go for both Toronto and Pittsburgh. Friedman pointed out that former Leafs GM Kyle Dubas had already tried to land Karlsson once before, which tells you Toronto has had real interest in the veteran defenseman for a while.
The fit becomes even more intriguing because Karlsson is in the final season of his contract. If the Penguins slide out of the playoff race, he could turn into a major rental target.
The 36-year-old still brings plenty of offense - he put up 66 points in 75 games last season - and he remains one of the league’s most productive blue-liners. He also carries a no-move clause, but Friedman believes Toronto would be an appealing landing spot if Karlsson decides he wants the best chance to chase his first Stanley Cup.
As Friedman put it, “He said Mats Sundin, Daniel Alfredsson, Erik Karlsson, Toronto.”
Detroit, meanwhile, is dealing with a very different kind of problem. The Red Wings are heading into camp with a contract mess that has left even their own people unsure where negotiations are supposed to go next.
That situation includes Simon Edvinsson, the 21-year-old restricted free agent who still needs a new deal. Bob Duff reported on the Full Press Hockey Podcast that Edvinsson’s agent, Peter Werner, is basically waiting for Detroit to hire a permanent general manager before anything serious can move forward.
Right now, the issue is simple: they don’t know who they’re supposed to be talking to. With the September 16 deadline approaching for players to sign eight-year extensions, that uncertainty is starting to look increasingly awkward.
Quinn Hughes is in a more conventional contract wait, but it is still taking longer than expected. Friedman said he’s surprised the process has dragged on this long and does not believe Hughes and Minnesota have had extensive talks yet.
One reason the pace has been so slow, according to Friedman, is the attention surrounding Hughes and the U.S. Olympic team this summer.
Even so, he said concern would naturally rise if Hughes is still unsigned when the regular season opens. For now, it doesn’t sound like alarm bells are ringing, but the longer it goes, the more attention the Wild’s decision will draw.
There’s also the Cale Makar situation in Colorado, and the Avalanche sound far more relaxed about where things stand. Joe Sakic told reporters he is “pretty confident” Makar will have a new contract done before the regular season starts.
Friedman said term may be the key issue there. Makar is eligible for what could become the largest contract in NHL history, but Sakic brushed off the September 16 deadline for an eight-year extension. The current thinking is that Makar could choose a three-year deal instead, then put himself in position for another massive contract when that one expires.
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Red Wings Letting An Avoidable Edvinsson Issue Drag Too Far
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Edvinssons camp has made clear the process is stalled until the front office situation changes, which only sharpens the awkwardness around Detroits current setup. Interim GM Shawn Horcoff is there to bridge the gap, but the club has not put major roster authority in his hands, leaving an obvious decision in limbo while time keeps ticking. For a team trying to stabilize its future, this is the kind of avoidable delay that tends to linger longer than it should. [Read more 🡒]
Red Wings May Be Running Out Of Safe Options With Wallinder
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The timing matters now because the organization can no longer treat him like a prospect with plenty of runway left. Wallinder is on a two-year contract and is no longer waiver exempt, which turns camp into more than a developmental checkpoint for him. If he does not earn an NHL job this season, the Wings would be forced to expose him to the rest of the league, raising the stakes on every preseason shift and every decision that follows. [Read more 🡒]
Hilary Knight Is Giving Detroit's New Team A Real Hockeytown Feel
Detroits new PWHL franchise is already starting to feel like it belongs in the citys hockey conversation, even before the name is settled. Manon Rheaumes presence as general manager gave the club instant credibility, and adding Hilary Knight gives it the kind of star power that can make a new team matter right away. For a market that has always measured itself by hockey standards, that combination has a familiar kind of weight.
Knight has made no secret of how appealing the opportunity has been, and the early tone around the franchise has been all about fit, ambition and the chance to build something from the ground up in Detroit. The name still has not been finalized, which leaves one of the most visible pieces of the identity process unresolved, but Knight has already shown a willingness to lean into the local branding conversation. Even that part feels fitting for a team trying to establish a Hockeytown presence from day one. [Read more 🡒]