The Toronto Maple Leafs continue to wrestle with their Stanley Cup drought despite having the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/hockey/nhl/”>NHL’s highest payroll. With Mitch Marner’s departure to the Vegas Golden Knights ending the era of the Leafs’ “core four,” scrutiny has intensified around the team’s roster, especially its defensemen. As the 2024-25 NHL season approaches, former Toronto enforcer Jay Rosehill has voiced strong opinions that a significant defensive overhaul might be essential for the Maple Leafs’ success.
Rosehill’s focus centers on Morgan Rielly, a long-time key defenseman whose recent performance has sparked criticism. He suggests that the Leafs should consider trading Rielly to acquire veteran defenseman Erik Karlsson, believing Karlsson could elevate the team’s defensive capabilities and help end the franchise’s championship drought. This notion arises amid ongoing debates about the high salary commitments and inconsistent defensive displays that have plagued the team.
Why Jay Rosehill Sees Erik Karlsson as a Better Fit Than Morgan Rielly
On the show Leafs Morning Take, Jay Rosehill openly questioned Morgan Rielly’s current value to the Maple Leafs. He argued that Rielly, who earns $7.5 million annually, is no longer performing at the level expected of him, citing lapses in defensive judgment that have negatively affected the team’s overall play.
James Mirtle of The Athletic explained that under new head coach Craig Berube, the Leafs initially showed defensive improvement early in the season, ranking third in limiting high-danger chances against at even strength.
Under new coach Craig Berube, they posted the third-best high-danger chance rate in the league, allowing just 8.7 chances against per 60 minutes of even-strength play,
Mirtle said.
However, this defensive stability did not last. Over the next 40 games, Toronto’s defense deteriorated considerably, with a 25 percent rise in high-danger chances allowed compared to the earlier period.
Individual defensive metrics for Rielly also raised concerns. Among 213 NHL defensemen analyzed across those 40 games, Rosehill highlighted that several Leafs blueliners, including Rielly, ranked poorly.
Of the 213 defensemen who have played a regular shift in the NHL the last 40 games, Tanev ranks 22nd in high-danger chances against. The other Leafs blueliners rank from respectable — 74th (Myers) and 89th (Jake McCabe) — down to the league’s bottom quartile, 168th to 180th (Benoit, Morgan Rielly and Timmins).
As a result, Rosehill questioned whether Rielly’s current abilities justified his top salary and role on the team.
Morgan Rielly is, you know, kind of stalled, makes seven and a half million. Doesn’t produce like he used to, sometimes has some brain-dead stuff going on in the d-zone.
—Jay Rosehill, Former Leafs Enforcer
Erik Karlsson’s Appeal as a Potential Defensive Upgrade
Contrasting his view of Rielly, Rosehill praised Erik Karlsson for maintaining an elite level of play despite being 35 years old. He highlighted Karlsson’s track record as a Norris Trophy winner and his ongoing role as a power-play quarterback, pointing to experience and skill as significant assets.
To get the upside of Erik Karlsson and a guy that can QB your PP and do everything that Karlsson has done in the past, a Norris Trophy winner and everything that he’s done experience-wise would be a great deal,
Rosehill stated.
Despite Rosehill’s enthusiasm, he admitted the practical challenges of such a trade are daunting. Karlsson’s contract is substantial and complex, making any deal costly. Additionally, Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas is unlikely to offer Karlsson at a bargain price. These factors contribute to the skepticism about a trade materializing.
But I just don’t see anyone going for that. It’s one of those pipedream deals for me.
—Jay Rosehill, Former Leafs Enforcer
Supporting this perspective, an insider revealed that the Carolina Hurricanes previously explored acquiring Karlsson but ultimately walked away because of the prohibitive cost.
Possible Trade Scenarios and Their Implications
Zack Phillips of Leafs Morning Take has discussed creative trade options involving Karlsson. One proposal includes the Maple Leafs retaining approximately 20 percent of Karlsson’s salary to facilitate acquiring him from the Pittsburgh Penguins. In exchange, Toronto might send Nicholas Robertson along with Morgan Rielly to Pittsburgh.
If realized, such a trade could significantly alter the Leafs’ defensive structure and potentially address shortcomings that have contributed to their extended absence from Stanley Cup victories. Securing Karlsson’s experience and skill on the blue line could provide the leadership and on-ice IQ necessary to push Toronto deeper into postseason contention.
The Maple Leafs’ management must weigh these considerations carefully, balancing salary cap realities, player performance trajectories, and team chemistry. As the season advances, fans and analysts will watch closely whether the Leafs are willing to make bold moves aimed squarely at ending decades of frustration and unmet expectations.