Maple Leafs' conditional first-round pick could headline blockbuster trade for Simon Edvinsson

If Toronto wanted to push hard for Simon Edvinsson, they could deal their top trade asset by giving the Red Wings their 2027 conditional first-round pick.

With the Maple Leafs needing defensive help this season, at least when it comes to ensuring they have bodies and a shutdown guy in front of their net there are a few names who could fit the bill for John Chayka.

But the one that has popped up consistently over anyone else is Simon Edvinsson, who has been in a stalemate with the Detroit Red Wings when it comes to a contract, and the longer this goes - the worse it could get for Shawn Horcoff and the rest of the Red Wings front office.

Maple Leafs give up their top assets for their new star defender

They haven't jumped at the opportunity to trade him just yet, but if the Maple Leafs were willing to break the bank for him then it may be enough to twist his arm.

Right now, the Maple Leafs hold Colorado's 2027 first-rounder which is top-10 protected. With the Avalanche not off to the hottest start, it may become a bit more of a valuable piece and give the Red Wings a pick that could potentially be from 11-25, a pretty solid asset all things considered.

But you have to also add in some player capital as well, which is where Ben Danford comes in. He would be a great piece in couple of years, but with help needed now and Edvinsson proving himself already - it's a necessary evil.

So here's what the proposal would look like between Detroit and Toronto:

Toronto receives:

(D) Simon Edvinsson

Detroit receives:

Conditional 2027 first-round pick (via Colorado, Top-10 protected)
(D) Ben Danford
2028 second-round pick (TOR)

Yes it's a heavy price to pay but as Chayka said in the Knies-Marchenko trade earlier: You need to trade quality to get quality.

Edvinsson comes to Toronto with a massive chip on his shoulder

Edvinsson, 23, would offer a much more mobile and younger player on the blue line who still has the tenacity and reckless intent that makes him such a good defender. He has 292 blocks and 180 hits over his past two seasons while also adding 56 points (40 assists) while averaging over 21:30 of ice time.

But he is ready to prove everyone wrong, especially his old team. If he can come in and immediately settle things down and we start to see a more fluid transition game out of Toronto, then it already makes the trade a win.

Add in that he can cover minutes for Chris Tanev and Jake McCabe to give them some rest, and being an absolute monster on the ice only adds to Toronto's intimidation factor - they'll bully you up front, but also have a 6-foot-6 behemoth waiting to pick the bones.

Knowing he has a lot left to prove in the NHL both against his old team and the rest of the league, Edvinsson may be the piece that pushes Toronto over the top and makes them a genuine playoff contender.

They're on a heater right now, and adding Edvinsson can only take their game to the next level.

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