Norris Trophy winner willing to waive NMC for trade to Toronto if Leafs become a serious bidder
Reports surfaced over the last week that the Leafs have checked in on reigning Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson, but insiders have speculated that it is just nothing more than Brad Treliving doing what he normally does. Treliving is always making calls and seeing who is available and that is likely what he did in the case of Karlsson. However, is a trade to Toronto an actual possibility?
Karlsson has made it clear that he wants to win and is willing to help the Sharks in the process of any trade so that they are able to acquire an appropriate package for the 33-year-old. TSN's Chris Johnston reported this morning that, should the Leafs do more than just "kick tires" on Karlsson, he would be willing to waive his no-movement clause to join the Leafs.
For that deal to work, the Leafs would need the Sharks to retain a good chunk of Karlsson's $11.5M AAV. If the Leafs can't get William Nylander signed to an extension in the coming days or weeks, could he be a viable centerpiece in a Karlsson trade? Or would a package that consisted of entirely futures get the job done?
The other aspect of any Karlsson trade is what Treliving wants to do with the Leafs' blueline. He prefers a bigger, stronger defensive corps than what the Leafs have had in previous years and the Leafs already have Morgan Rielly and Timothy Liljegren that play a similar style to Karlsson. Are they as good? No, but adding Karlsson to those two would not give the Leafs the type of blueline they need in the playoffs, nor would it be in the blueprint of Treliving's past defense corps.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 29 | 338 ANSWERS Norris Trophy winner willing to waive NMC for trade to Toronto if Leafs become a serious bidder Would you take a run at Erik Karlsson (50% retained) if you were the Leafs? | ||
| Absolutely | 185 | 54.7 % |
| No way | 52 | 15.4 % |
| Depends what the Sharks want in return | 101 | 29.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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