Blockbuster 1-for-1 Trade Proposal Emerges Between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Pittsburgh Penguins
The Maple Leafs could add a huge impact player to their blueline and set themselves up for the future by trading Morgan Rielly for Erik Karlsson.
Given the need for Toronto's blueline to have a bit more of an offensive spark and a true playmaker, not to mention some cap space for the next few years, a wild trade proposal has Erik Karlsson coming to the Leafs and long-time mainstay Morgan Rielly headed to Pittsburgh.
Erik Karlsson Is Just A Better Morgan Rielly
Although both players could be considered some of the weaker defensemen in the NHL, there's no doubt that Karlsson would be a massive improvement over Rielly.
Even on the middling Penguins, Karlsson has put up four goals and 28 assists, adding 61 blocked shots as well. Much like Rielly he doesn't hit, but is a true playmaker and puck mover, not to mention his insane power play numbers (301 career points on the PP)
Rielly also don't have the greatest shot from the point meanwhile Karlsson isnt afraid to let it fly.
For Toronto, Rielly has five goals and 17 assists and 68 blocks. They are virtually identical in terms of what they offer, but Karlsson does it better.
Rielly has another five years left on his deal at $7.5M meanwhile Karlsson is more expensive at over $10M but he's only got two more seasons to go after this, and his cap hit would come off in a prime spot for the Maple Leafs come 2027.
Compare the last three seasons between the two. Karlsson has averaged 15.3 goals and 48.6 assists, added 106 points on the power play, and added a Norris Trophy in 2022-23.
Rielly however has averaged seven goals and matches Karlsson's 48.6 assists, but the over double goal-scoring production is such a massive improvement.
His power play numbers are way down too, as he added only 60 points over the same span.
Also, it's hard to argue with Karlsson's career compared to Rielly's.
With reports that Pittsburgh is going to be on a fire sale with everyone except a very select few on the trade block, Toronto wouldn't hurt themselves trying to add a premium blueliner to replace Morgan Rielly.
