Despite having interest, the Toronto Maple Leafs did not land the NHL’s biggest fish this summer.
The big Erik Karlsson trade hockey fans have been waiting for finally came and gone, with the 2023 Norris Trophy winner being dealt to the Pittsburgh Penguins in a haul involving the San Jose Sharks and Montreal Canadiens. Sadly, this means the Toronto Maple Leafs swung and missed on another top talent wearing the Blue and White, despite the team being heavily rumored to have interest in the 33-year-old for several years.
The deal included the Penguins shipping out names like Jeff Petry, Casey DeSmith, Jan Rutta, Mikael Granlund and Nathan Legare along with losing their 2024 first and 2025 second-round picks, while acquiring a 2026 third-round selection, Rem Pitlick and Dillon Hamaliuk.