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Toronto Maple Leafs pursue Erik Karlsson ahead of 2026 season

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 27, 2026, 6:35 PM

Last updated Jul 27, 2026

Toronto Maple Leafs pursue Erik Karlsson ahead of 2026 season

Summary

The Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly considering a trade for Erik Karlsson, a seven-time All-Star defenseman currently with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Karlsson, entering the final year of his eight-year contract, presents a potential upgrade to Toronto's blue line, given his elite puck-moving skills. The Penguins are evaluating their options regarding Karlsson, who could become an unrestricted free agent next summer, amidst their goal of getting younger while remaining competitive. Speculation suggests that if a trade were to happen, the Maple Leafs could benefit from significant salary retention by Pittsburgh.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Market Watch

•Toronto added Sergei Bobrovsky and drafted Gavin McKenna in 2026.
•Karlsson's contract carries an annual cap hit of $11.5 million.
•Pittsburgh may seek to trade Karlsson rather than lose him for nothing.
•Karlsson's elite skills could address Toronto's defensive needs.

Latest Updates

6:35 PMYahoo Sports — Maple Leafs Trade Rumors: Toronto Linked With Left-Field Move For 7-Time All-Star

What they're saying

"
The Toronto Maple Leafs have already had a busy offseason, with new general manager John Chayka taking an aggressive approach to building a win-now team. Toronto added Sergei Bobrovsky, brought more size and versatility to its bottom six, made changes on defense, and won the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, selecting Gavin McKenna.
— Yahoo Sports

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Ottawa Senators Pittsburgh Penguins Toronto Maple Leafs NHL Hockey