Erik Karlsson to the Maple Leafs? NHL Insider Sees a Path to Toronto

“Depending on how both teams’ seasons go, my prediction is that Erik Karlsson becomes a Toronto Maple Leaf.” Eliotte Friedman said one of his sources sees this as a real possibility.

Friedman knows that when Kyle Dubas was the Maple Leafs’ GM, he tried to trade for Karlsson at one point. “So he’s always liked him.” Karlsson had a great year, and if he has another season as he had in 2025-26, Friedman doesn’t see him getting traded at all. That said, it is the final season of his current contract, and the Penguins will be a bubble team again. Things might line up right for both Toronto and Pittsburgh, where Karlsson becomes a rental.

Karlsson has a no-move clause, but “if it comes to the point he’s on the market, Mats Sundin, Daniel Alfredsson, Erik Karlsson… Toronto. That’s his pick.”

Kyle Bukauskas responded by wondering what the reaction would be if Karlsson jumped to Toronto. Alfredsson’s jump was a big deal for Senators fans. If Karlsson were to make the move to Toronto as well, “That would be something,” he said.

Karlsson remains one of the NHL’s most productive and well-rounded defensemen despite being 36. He ranked eighth among NHL defensemen with 66 points last season and posted elite numbers in skating speed, shot generation, offensive-zone play and scoring from distance. A three-time Norris Trophy winner, Karlsson has yet to win a Stanley Cup and will look to help Pittsburgh’s veteran core remain competitive in a tough Metropolitan Division. If that doesn’t look like a reality this coming season, he might be open to waiving his no-move for a team that has a better shot at winning.

Is that Toronto? Right now, it isn’t. However, the Maple Leafs are pushing to be competitive again and made serious changes over the summer.

---

Next: NHL Trade Talk Recap: Flames, Maple Leafs & Oilers Buffer