Could The Maple Leafs Pursue Penguins' Erik Karlsson During The 2026-27 NHL Season?
Could the Toronto Maple Leafs consider pursuing Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman and three-time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson in the 2026-27 NHL season?
Video Transcript
You know what?
A, a month ago I would have said Morgan Rielly definitely wasn't gonna start the season, but as we get closer, and now we're near the end of July, I don't see a scenario where Morgan Rielly gets traded.
I know there's still a lot of rumor out there that, you know, this guy's making too much for what the Leafs need on the defense.
But- you know, I, I think if Chris Tanev's healthy, you got Darren Raddysh, now, on this team, Morgan Rielly could look a lot better in a number three or number four role on the Toronto Maple Leafs.
So I say he stays.
And again, Dakota Joshua, if you're gonna trade him, you're trading at a position of weakness right now after the season he had.
So I think he stays as well.
Okay.
The Morgan Rielly scenario, I mean, I think it's basically a reflection of, like, the, the hatred of the, the Maple Leaf fan base of a guy who's been there since 20- 2013.
It's, it's- Yeah ridiculous because, I mean, he's been put in bad positions by, by numerous coaches.
He's not- never been a number one defenseman, and they played him 25 minutes a night.
So now they try to give him away, and other teams wanted a sweetener or wanted to retain salary, and, and John Chaika said, "No way."
So, I think he starts the year.
And I think actually, if he plays well in a second pairing role, I think they'll be very happy to spend $7.5 million on a guy who could score 35 to 40 points.
As for Joshua, the injury situation from last year was concerning with the lacerated kidney.
He's had hi- Yeah he's had, numerous injury and health issues over the last few years, and they added basically an entire bottom six.
Mm-hmm.
So if they could trade him for a low round draft pick, I think they would.
Do I think they're gonna be able to?
No.
So I think both of them are gonna be on the roster.
