Should you’re an NHL staff and desire a strong offensive defenseman in your staff, there’s one available on the market. It is Erik Karlsson of the San Jose Sharks.
How good is Karlsson? He’s the reigning Norris Trophy winner. And, he is transferring as a result of he’d prefer to play someplace apart from the Sharks. Who desires him?
At his superior hockey age, he is in no temper to rebuild. He want to win and the Sharks are removed from prepared.
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Karlsson can be an ideal match for Toronto, however
In response to experiences, Karlsson has spoken to a number of groups, together with the Maple Leafs. Followers can solely think about the potential for him sporting blue and white; and, whereas I suppose it is at all times attainable, it is extremely unlikely. The street to such an settlement is strewn with pitfalls.
In an interview with hockey reporter Adam Johansson of Expressen, Karlsson shared his openness to being traded. He additionally shared that the Maple Leafs have been one of many groups he spoke with this summer season. Nonetheless, there have been different events, together with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Seattle Kraken and Carolina Hurricanes.
The obstacles to bringing Karlsson to the Maple Leafs
Getting Karlsson in a commerce can be vital. It will additionally virtually instantly flip the staff into Stanley Cup favorites. Nonetheless, there are challenges.
The most important hurdle is the wage cap. Karlsson’s contract is hefty at $11.5 million. If he got here to the Maple Leafs, the Sharks would doubtless must preserve a big chunk of his wage to make the deal financially viable. Plus, the Maple Leafs may need to maneuver a marquee participant — suppose William Nylander — to make the items match collectively.
These current Karlsson commerce rumors are actually outdated for the Maple Leafs. The staff has been linked to him for fairly a while. Nonetheless, they’re tied to each participant that involves market, it appears. Nonetheless, on this case, there may be competitors for Karlsson’s companies, as there ought to be.
The Penguins and Hurricanes are within the recreation for his serves – and doubtless the favorites. Each of those groups are doubtless in a greater monetary place to pursue the star defenseman than the Maple Leafs.
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The Jason Spezza Postman
An fascinating a part of the story is that Karlsson stays in shut communication together with his former teammate, Jason Spezza. And, Spezza now works with the Penguins. May the connection between the 2 play an element in Karlsson’s determination of the place to land?
The San Jose Sharks are rebuilding. Nonetheless, that does not imply their normal supervisor, Mike Grier, goes to lose Karlsson for nothing. Up to now, Grier has been affected person.
He’ll doubtless work to make sure the Sharks obtain enough compensation in the event that they half methods with their star defenseman.
The important
The reality is, the Maple Leafs most likely aren’t severe contenders for Karlsson’s companies. Nonetheless, trades are advanced and there may be at all times an opportunity of this taking place.
There are additionally methods to do away with among the monetary barrier that would enable Karlsson to fall under the wage cap. However are the Maple Leafs keen to maneuver heaven and earth to convey this nice participant to their staff? We’ll see.
However Maple Leafs followers most likely should not maintain their breath.
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