Tonight, the Toronto Maple Leafs will host the Tampa Bay Lightning, fresh off an exhilarating seven-goal comeback against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday. Sitting atop the standings with a seven-point lead, the Leafs are feeling confident, but the Lightning, who have won two straight games, are quietly closing the gap. Although Tampa Bay trails by seven points, they’ve played three fewer games, meaning a win tonight would narrow the lead to just five points with three games in hand.
Joseph Woll will be in net for the Leafs as they look to notch a win against one of the NHL’s elite teams a challenge they’ve struggled with recently. Losses to Dallas, Winnipeg, Washington, and Carolina highlight Toronto’s tendency to fall short against top-tier opponents, with most of their victories coming against lower-tier teams, New Jersey being the exception.
But here’s where it gets interesting while preparing to write this game preview, a bombshell trade rumor surfaced that could overshadow tonight’s matchup. An exclusive report reveals the Pittsburgh Penguins are planning a fire sale and are willing to trade big-name players, including none other than Erik Karlsson. This revelation could change everything for Toronto’s management.
At 34 years old, Karlsson remains one of the best defensemen in the league, despite showing signs of age. With a hefty $11.5 million salary for the next two years, Karlsson could be a perfect fit for the Leafs. Even though his numbers have dipped slightly, he still holds a +7 overall value, with a +12 in offensive contributions, an impressive feat given the lack of elite scoring talent around him in Pittsburgh.
On a team like the Leafs, with playmakers like Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews, and William Nylander, Karlsson could thrive in a more tailored role. His elite power-play quarterbacking ability and strong 5v5 play would be a massive boost for Toronto’s defense, filling a critical gap the team has been missing. Pairing Karlsson with Morgan Rielly could transform the Leafs’ blue line, while pushing Oliver Ekman-Larsson to a more suitable third-pairing role.
If Pittsburgh retains part of Karlsson’s salary and takes on Max Domi’s contract, the Leafs could pull off this trade without sacrificing too much in assets. This move could be exactly what Toronto needs to take their playoff hopes to the next level, making the trade deadline even more intriguing for the Maple Leafs.
