Maple Leafs Now Know What It'll Take to Land Erik Karlsson

The Pittsburgh Penguins, who are in the midst of a planned rebuild to prepare the team for the departures of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin as the longstanding leaders of the organization, the team is also considering how to rebuild their defensive group as well.

As integral is Kris Letang, who is likely grandfathered in the Penguins system until his contract ends in 2028, with a trade for Letang unlikely.

Karlsson is the player who is the most expendable, being in just his second season as a Penguin compared to the other stars of the team's aging core (Crosby, Malkin, Letang) who have spent their entire careers in Pittsburgh.

A likely future Hall of Famer despite some naysayers, Karlsson would still like to cap off his NHL career with a Stanley Cup championship, and a deal to a contender could be enticing for teams, including the Toronto Maple Leafs.

A report from NHL Insider Chris Johnston reveals what it would take for the Toronto Maple Leafs to acquire Erik Karlsson.

According to Johnston, the Penguins are looking for a legitimate return, not just seeing the 35-year-old as a cap dump, but a player who deserves assets back in a trade.

Karlsson, who is still capable of being a top-pair defenseman and is reliable enough on offense despite his age, would still be a key player for a team, especially one needing help on the blueline.

The Leafs have a lack of scoring coming from their defensive end. Morgan Rielly leads the way with 41 points, but has struggled with consistency this season and his status as a #1 defenseman in the long-term is a question mark, not that it isn't for Karlsson either.

Next behind Rielly are Oliver Ekman-Larsson with 29 points and Jake McCabe with 23, having a lack of production coming in the backend, and losing a major part of their offense in Mitch Marner means more in needed from the team, especially in terms of playmaking, having to replace Marner's 75 assists.

The Toronto Maple Leafs still need to replace Mitch Marner, and acquiring Erik Karlsson challenges their ability to find a sufficient replacement for that hole.

Erik Karlsson on paper may be the most exciting option for the Toronto Maple Leafs in terms of linked players, but will be a massive shift from what the team has indicated is their plan for the offseason to add to their forward group, a debate Toronto will have to have.