Even though those within the Pittsburgh Penguins organization have high hopes of making the playoffs this year, that wish might not come true. On paper they are worse than they were the last time they hit the ice. Without some strong pieces to drive up scoring numbers, Pittsburgh might take a step back this year. If that becomes the case, don't be shocked if they sell at the trade deadline.
During Elliotte Friedman's 32 Thoughts Podcast, he made an interesting note.
Although Friedman never claimed it as his own, directing it to someone else saying a prediction to him, Friedman labeled it as an interesting outcome. If the Penguins do take a step back in the standings this year, don't be surprised if they make some moves. One trade could see Erik Karlsson get sent out of town.
"One guy said to me, 'I have a 2026-27 prediction for you,'" Friedman claimed. " I said, 'Okay, what is it?' And he goes, 'My prediction is Erik Karlsson becomes a Toronto Maple Leaf, depending on how both teams' seasons go.' I was like, 'Oh, that's a good idea.'"
A lot of this trade rumor depends on two opposite outcomes for these teams. The Maple Leafs would need to rebound after a season to forget last year, while the Penguins would need to see a complete collapse by the trade deadline compared to what they accomplished in their last campaign. It's not an outlandish outcome laid out in this speculation by Friedman, and it could become reality.
Pittsburgh Penguins Erik Karlsson could be traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs this season
Pittsburgh should be cautious going into this season as their team doesn't seem destined for greatness. Erik Karlsson is their top defenseman and is coming off his best campaign in the black and gold. His trade value might be at its peak right now, and hopefully he can play up to that level this year.
He is scheduled to hit free agency after this season, so his time with the Penguins seems limited.
When you look at the Maple Leafs, and they would need to accomplish some cap juggling to make an acquisition of Karlsson work. You'd have to assume that the Penguins would be willing to eat some of the star players $10 million cap hit if the right trade offer would come their way. Right now, Toronto is in the negative when it comes to available cap space, so a move of this magnitude could get tricky.
At the end of the day, it appears no matter the outcome of this upcoming season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have no interest in retaining Erik Karlsson before he hits the open market. That could always change, but for a team with a bunch of question marks going into the season, it might be best for them to remain flexible.
He could become one of their top assets to dangle at the trade deadline if necessary.
If the situation laid out by Friedman becomes reality for the Penguins, there is a chance many cornerstones in the lineup could become available in a massive sale by the team before the trade deadline. Names like Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell, Evgeni Malkin, and other stars could become available. It will be interesting to see how the Penguins approach the deadline if they become sellers.
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