Could Erik Karlsson end up on the Toronto Maple Leafs’ radar?
That question is starting to hang over the Leafs as Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson enters the conversation as a possible fit for Toronto’s blue line. With Karlsson on an expiring deal, the idea is simple enough: if the Leafs are going to swing big, maybe this is the kind of move that makes more sense than chasing a pricier name.
Matt Larkin pointed to Toronto’s possible interest while also noting the Penguins’ direction this season.
“I don’t know if they have the capital for (Zach) Werenski, but they might have the capital for a rental of Eric Karlsson. And the way the Pittsburgh Penguins are trending right now, I don’t know if they’re a playoff team.”
Larkin said Karlsson still brings the kind of workload that matters, and that there may still be enough of the old version left to make him appealing.
“Yeah, that’s right. But I mean, Karlsson, he still is the huge minutes eater, of course.
But I think even defensively, like, he’s kind of reborn under Dan Muse, or at least he was last season. Like, he looked a lot more like the peak Erik Karlsson, who was still an offensive weapon, but also was capable of handling the big minutes defensively and at least breaking even in terms of the play, right?
So I think he still got some of that version of himself out there, and because he’s on an expiring deal, maybe the price tag would not be nearly as high. You wouldn’t have to sacrifice one of your absolute top prospects to get him.
It could be a first. Who knows what it would be?
But that’s a target I keep an eye on. Especially, you have the Daniel Alfredsson connection. You could just put another dagger in the heart of the Ottawa Senators by doing that.”
Nick Alberga liked the fit only if Toronto were moving Morgan Rielly the other way.
“Put him on the wing.”
Then he added:
“The only way I would even entertain a conversation of Erik Karlsson if, if Morgan Rielly is going the other way. I, imagine a D-core with Morgan Rielly and Erik Karlsson on it. Hell, I know the Leafs would pair those fuckers together, dude.”
Larkin agreed the Leafs would find a way to make that pairing happen.
“Yeah, they’d find a way.”
Alberga also tied the speculation to Karlsson’s contract situation and Pittsburgh’s place in the standings.
“Zach Phillips has a coronary on a daily basis because that rumor just won’t go away. And it just the more it’s talked about, mainstream media, the more you think it’s going to happen because he’s in a walk year and Pittsburgh sucks ass this season.
They’re going to have to deal him. And who do you think is going to pop up with an offer because they need a defenseman?
I, I just that guy doesn’t do anything for me defensively. And I think, to your point, you need an all-around guy.
Like, he’s really good offensively. I think it would be hilarious after paying all that money to bring Darren Raddysh in that you bring in Karlsson.
And I understand Karlsson’s not the same guy, but he’s running the first power play if he comes in; it’s not Darren Raddysh.”
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