For the past couple weeks star defenseman Erik Karlsson has been making headlines after news came out the 33-year-old wants to play for a contender and the Maple Leafs might be the perfect fit.
The Trade
The most recent rumor trade sees the former two-time Norris Trophy winner become a member of the Leafs.
Here is the full trade:
TORONTO Receives : Erik Karlsson (50% retained salary)\ SAN JOSE Receives : Topi Niemela, Timothy Liljegren, Matt Murray and Roni Hirvonen
In this proposed trade the Sharks would get a couple young promising defenseman in Liljegren and Niemela and the Leafs would get a true offensive defenseman.
Breaking Down the Trade
This off season for sharks might be the only time they can get clear of Karlsson's heavy contract.
Karlsson increased his value and he had 101 points this past season and is a Norris Trophy candidate. Karlsson is the first defenseman to reach the 100 point plateau since Brian Leetch accomplished the feat in 1991-92.
The trade would be hard for the Leafs to accomplish due to their cap space troubles making it really hard this squad to land the top available defenseman.
The Sharks are headed into a full blown rebuild having the 4th overall pick in this years NHL Draft will help bolster their prospect pool.
The assets the Sharks would receive for their top point player two young defensemen that have shown promising advances in their development.
As for the Leafs Karlsson would add a level of offensive power on the blue line the leafs have never had that will help their chances of getting a Stanley Cup.
