The Toronto Maple Leafs have been tied to Erik Karlsson, but not everyone is sold on the fit - or what it would cost to get him.
Elliotte Friedman recently said he had heard from sources that Toronto could be a destination for Karlsson, with the Daniel Alfredsson connection helping fuel that possibility. The idea makes some sense on paper, especially with the Leafs seeking more offense from the back end. But there’s also a clear concern baked into it: Toronto’s blue line is already old, and Karlsson would only make that issue more pronounced.
That’s why Nick Alberga doesn’t see a simple path here. In his view, if the Maple Leafs are serious about pursuing Karlsson, they would need to include Morgan Rielly in the deal. Alberga believes that’s the only structure that really works, since it would amount to a one-for-one swap where both sides get a player of similar value.
Even then, he views the idea as a desperate swing rather than a clean solution. Alberga also said he doesn’t see how it would fit with Darren Raddysh leading the first power-play unit. To him, it would be a lateral move that doesn’t inspire much confidence in the organization, and if Toronto went that direction, he wouldn’t be impressed.
There are other routes available if the Leafs want to address their defense problem. The team is reportedly working on trades for Simon Edvinsson and Alexander Nikishin, and those are the kinds of targets that make more sense. Both are younger players with significant upside, and both bring offensive ability as well, giving Toronto a chance to improve in two areas at once.
For now, though, fans may have to wait and see what materializes. There’s no guarantee the Leafs land any of their reported targets, and the market includes more than just an aging defenseman like Erik Karlsson.
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Leafs Got The Kind Of Win That Could Mean Something Bigger
After a 5-4 win over the Rangers, there was plenty for the Leafs to like beyond the two points. Head coach Jim Hiller pointed to the kind of steady, connected effort that has been harder to find in stretches this season, and he made a point of calling out the fourth line for giving the group a lift when the game was hanging in the balance.
Nick Paul drew Hillers praise for the way he kept the play alive late, a small detail that can end up mattering just as much as the flashier moments. The bigger concern, though, is the health of the blue line, with Hiller offering updates on Nick Blankenburg after he left in the third period and on Marshall Rifai, who is already being viewed as week-to-week. [Read more 🡒]
Maple Leafs Just Got Another Intriguing Option For More Size Up Front
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Voronkov has been a useful scorer over the past three seasons, averaging 19 goals and 19 assists, and his profile fits the kind of depth piece contenders often chase when they want a heavier look up front. He has also been in and out of the Blue Jackets' lineup this season, which only adds to the sense that a move could make sense for both sides, especially with his contract situation set to become part of the equation this summer. [Read more 🡒]
Maple Leafs Face A Trade Price Fans May Hate Most
The Maple Leafs are still shopping for help on the blue line, and the names being kicked around tell the story of what they are after. Toronto has reportedly shown interest in a young, high-end defenseman like Simon Edvinsson or Alexander Nikishin, the kind of player who could change the long-term look of the back end rather than just patch a short-term hole.
Easton Cowan is the wrinkle that makes the pursuit so complicated for the Leafs. The prospect just put together a career-best game with a goal and two assists in a 6-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Toronto appears reluctant to make him part of the price if that is what it takes to land one of those defensemen. For a team trying to improve now without emptying too much of its future, that is the part of the negotiation that may prove toughest to swallow. [Read more 🡒]