Former NHL Player Would Take Maple Leafs-Erik Karlsson Trade Idea 'All Day'

Former Toronto Maple Leafs player Jay Rosehill would welcome a trade sending Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly and forward Nicholas Robertson to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for veteran Erik Karlsson.

Discussing the mock deal on the “Leafs Morning Take” podcast, Rosehill made it clear he believed Toronto would benefit massively from such a move.

“I take that all day,” Rosehill said. “We’re gonna try and get rid of Nick Robertson in general. Doesn’t fit anywhere, who’s he gonna take the place of, who’s beating him, who’s he beating out for a roster spot? I just don’t think he’s gonna be here.

“And Morgan Rielly is, you know, kind of stalled, makes $7.5 million, doesn’t produce like he used to. Sometimes he has some dead stuff going on in the D-zone.”

Aging Erik Karlsson Still Has Upside

Karlsson, 35, is in the middle of an eight-year, $92 million deal with the Penguins. His cap hit is $10 million per season, after the Sharks retained 13% of his original $11.5 million salary in the trade that sent him to Pittsburgh.

The veteran blueliner is coming off totaling 11 goals and 42 assists last season over 82 regular-season games.

A three-time Norris Trophy winner as the league’s top defenseman, Karlsson could boost Toronto’s offense and its power play. Rosehill emphasized that, noting Karlsson’s upside without regard to his age.

“To get the upside of Erik Karlsson, a guy that can (quarterback) your (power-play unit) and do everything that Karlsson has done in the past — a Norris Trophy winner, and everything he’s done, experiencewise, would be a great deal,” Rosehill said.

Defenseman Erik Karlsson warms up with Sweden at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February 2025.David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Nicholas Robertson and Morgan Rielly as Trade Pieces

Robertson signed a one-year, $1.825 million deal in August, avoiding arbitration. Toronto has been reluctant to part with him because of his youth and offensive upside, but trade speculation has persisted throughout his career, including submitting a trade request last summer.

The 23-year-old scored a career-high 15 goals last season in 69 games, with limited minutes and power-play exposure.

Rielly, meanwhile, carries a $7.5 million cap hit as part of an eight-year, $60 million contract, but has faced scrutiny of late for his defensive lapses and declining production.

Because of the flaws in Rielly and Robertson’s profiles, Rosehill isn’t convinced about how feasible completing a two-for-one trade involving Karlsson is.

“Again, I just don’t see anyone going for that,” Rosehill said. “It’s one of those pipe-dream deals to me, so I would take it for sure. But I just don’t see it happening.”

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 22, 2025, where it first appeared in the NHL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Former NHL Player Would Take Maple Leafs-Erik Karlsson Trade Idea ‘All Day’

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