Major Report Urges Brad Treliving to Explore Trade Talks With Kyle Dubas and the Penguins
A new report coming out of Pittsburgh has signaled a complete fire sale for the Penguins and Leafs GM Brad Treliving should look to acquire a huge defenseman.
There have been tons of rumors and speculation regarding who and what the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to trade for come the March 7 deadline. They need a true third line center, but they also need some help offensively on their blueline.
Being linked to names such as Brock Nelson, Chris Kreider, Scott Laughton and Jamie Oleksiak, there's a laundry list of potential options that the team can look to acquire in order to give them the best chance come playoff time.
But with new reports that former Leafs GM Kyle Dubas could be undergoing a complete fire sale in Pittsburgh, the blue and white should look to bring in an old rival with a lot of history in the Atlantic Division.
Toronto Needs To Target Erik Karlsson In A Trade
Karlsson has a lot of familiarity with the Maple Leafs, as the veteran defenseman spent nine season as a member of the Ottawa Senators, often making life miserable for the blue and white, having scored 44 points against them in 48 games.
They would love to add the three-time Norris Trophy winner to their blueline, and his boost to their offense is something that shouldn't be ignored. This season he has four goals and 28 assists in 48 games, but his career numbers are Hall of Fame worthy.
In his 16 NHL seasons Karlsson has 849 points in 1050 games (193G, 656A) and would no doubt be a boost to Toronto's power play but also give them a massive advantage heading into the playoffs.
53 points in 67 games is nothing to shake a stick at, and while he hasn't won the big one yet; his presence on the Maple Leafs could very well change that.
The issue is Karlsson's contract, as he makes $10M for the next two seasons, but sources have stated that Pittsburgh is open to retaining money if they can get a deal done.
Toronto would need to dump one of their contracts and give Dubas back a package including Pontus Holmberg, Topi Niemala and a few picks to sweeten the deal, and it all comes down to whether or not the Penguins GM wants to make a trade with the team that fired him.
Erik Karlsson might be expensive and it might take a lot to get him, but to add him to an already potent Maple Leafs lineup and make them even more dangerous? It could be the year he lifts his first Stanley Cup.
