The Toronto Maple Leafs have salary cap flexibility after Mitch Marner left the team in a trade with the Golden Knights. However, according to a report by Chris Johnston, the possibility of acquiring Erik Karlsson appears remote.
“The Karlsson thing, it’s a stretch for me. He makes $10 million against the cap right now and I can tell your for certain that Pittsburgh’s not just giving him away. They’re not of a mind: ‘We got to get him off the team.’ They’re not going to retain half of that for anybody. So, a team really has to want him.”
In recent days, amid the potential rebuild the Pittsburgh Penguins may be starting to keep Sidney Crosby, Karlsson has been mentioned as a name that could be on the trading block.
Who will the Toronto Maple Leafs trade for?
The Toronto Maple Leafs could make a trade for Erik Karlsson, but for that to happen, Johnston noted that Morgan Rielly would have to leave the team. That makes the deal even more unlikely.
“Morgan Rielly makes about $7.5 million. So, if you were ever removing Morgan Riley, maybe I could see the argument to replace him with Karlsson and maybe can make the money work with whatever else. But, that’s two significant trades. Two guys that have no-movement clauses. I’m not sure how much reality is in there yet.”
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