NHL analyst Jay Rosehill is all in on the Toronto Maple Leafs acquiring Erik Karlsson in a potential trade.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have been looking to trade Karlsson, and the Maple Leafs have been a team reportedly interested in him. TheLeafsNation proposed a mock trade that would see Toronto acquire Karlsson, and Rosehill says he’d do a Karlsson trade ‘all day.’
“I take that all day. We’re gonna try and get rid of Nick Robertson in general, doesn’t fit anywhere,” Rosehill said. Who’s he gonna take the place of, who’s beating him, who’s he beating out for a roster spot? I just don’t think he’s gonna be here. And Morgan Rielly is, you know, kind of stalled, makes $7.5 million, doesn’t produce like he used to, sometimes he has some dead stuff going on in the D-zone. Not trying to knock him, but he isn’t the player he was in the past. To get the upside of Erik Karlsson and a guy who can QB your PP and do everything that Karlsson has done would be a great deal.”
Although Rosehill says he’d make that trade, he doesn’t think a Maple Leafs-Karlsson trade will happen. He doubts Rielly would waive his no-movement clause, but if he does, he would be all-in on acquiring Karlsson.
Karlsson has two years left on his eight-year, $92 million deal. He recorded 11 goals and 42 assists for 53 points in 82 games.
Analyst Doubts Maple Leafs Acquire Karlsson
Although Rosehill is all-in on acquiring Karlsson for the Maple Leafs, LeafsNation analyst Michael Mazzei doubts it will happen.
Mazzei doesn’t think the proposed trade is enough for Pittsburgh to deal Karlsson, while Rielly also wouldn’t waive his no-movement clause.
“I agree with CapWages’ assessment that the likelihood of this trade is very unlikely, but for a different reason: Morgan Rielly likely wouldn’t accept a trade out of Toronto,” Mazzei wrote. “Even if he changes his mind and accepts a reunion with Kyle Dubas, Erik Karlsson would be a divisive figure among Leafs fans even at 20% retention. I understand the rationale of adding a puck-moving defenceman of Karlsson’s calibre, but there are surely better options who are a bit younger available.”
Rielly has made it clear he wants to remain in Toronto and help get the Maple Leafs over the hump.
Karlsson won the Norris Trophy in 2012, 2015, and 2023 as the best defenseman in the NHL.
Former Maple Leafs D-Man Urges Team to Acquire Karlsson
Karlsson to Toronto makes a lot of sense, as he would run the team’s power play and add some much-needed offense to the team.
Former Maple Leafs defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo wants his former team to acquire Karlsson to quarterback the power play.
“He doesn’t make too much money because he got paid a big bonus,” Colaiacovo said on First Up. “Any deal you make for Karlsson, you are going to get a discount on the cap hit because he has one year left. I’m taking Kalrsson, man. The reason is, Karlsson can run a power play…
“Erik Karlsson could absolutely still quarterback a power play,” Colaiacovo added. “That is the reason why I would bring him in. You lose Mitch Marner and you need someone to replace those points on the power play.”
Toronto used five forwards on the power play last year, and who QBs it with Mitch Marner gone is uncertain.
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