Erik Karlsson could be the key for the Toronto Maple Leafs as Morgan Rielly struggles on the power play
Going into this offseason with big decisions to make in re-tooling the special teams, Morgan Rielly has failed the power play despite being already locked into a huge contract worth $60 million.
Ex-NHLer Carlo Colaiacovo has set forth the possibility of trading for Erik Karlsson as the answer. Karlsson's experience and service as the power-play quarterback will, of course, offer a much-needed uplift to the Leafs in the absence of Mitch Marner, who was previously doing the ticking of that box.
Carlo Colaiacovo's prime suggestion: Erik Karlsson in for Morgan Rielly at
Toronto Maple Leafs
' top power play
— KidKool4U (@KidKool4U)
Carlo Colaiacovo, a former Leafs defenseman, now a media analyst in the Toronto area, has ignited some discussion with his provocative proposal: trade for Erik Karlsson to revitalize the team's stagnant power play.
Colaiacovo was talking on the "First Up" podcast. He stated how the Leafs do not have a defender right now that possesses the ability to effectively quarterback a power-play unit, and that was a void Karlsson could plug immediately.
Last season, the Maple Leafs tried to put forward Mitch Marner in the position of power-play quarterback, thereby sitting Morgan Rielly, who was in his eighth year of a $60 million contract.
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With Marner no longer on the roster, the issue of setting an ideal candidate that commands the top unit is now again in the spotlight. Karlsson's offensive ability on the blue line and his bargain-basement one-year term make him an obvious trade target, according to Colaiacovo.
Karlsson, now 35, came off a very productive year in Pittsburgh, putting up 53 points in 82 games. On paper, Karlsson remains a long-term 7-figure signed contract defenseman initially signed by the San Jose Sharks; however, with just one-year left on that contract, Toronto has the opportunity to acquire him for a much lower cap hit.
Meanwhile, the Leafs made a splash by trading veteran enforcer Ryan Reaves to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for defenseman Henry Thrun. Reaves, the enforcer, entered last season on his last year of a three-year, $4.05 million deal, with barely any impact throughout the previous season.
Mike Grier, GM, mentioned Reaves' attributes of experience and toughness while Denmark complimented his positive influence in the dressing rooms of the multiple teams with which he has been affiliated: Rangers and Blues.
Also Read:
Anthony Stolarz may be closing in on a massive extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs
With Mitch Marner out of the equation and Morgan Rielly still not locking the power play down, the Toronto Maple Leafs are in desperate need of a solution. Karlsson may just be it. Whether or not the team heeds Carlo Colaiacovo's advice, we all know the mere discussion is a breath of fresh air into Toronto's offseason storyline.
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