A hypothetical blockbuster trade between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Toronto Maple Leafs, involving a $152 million player swap, is unlikely to happen, according to a podcast host. The proposed deal, which has been circulating for weeks, would see the Leafs' Morgan Rielly and Nick Robertson traded to the Penguins in exchange for Erik Karlsson.
The concept behind the trade revolves around the two teams exchanging power-play quarterbacks. Jay Rosehill, a former NHL player and current podcast host on Leafs Morning Take, stated that while he would endorse the trade "all day" from Toronto's perspective, he doesn't foresee either team actually pursuing it.
Rosehill explained his reasoning, suggesting the Leafs are actively trying to trade Nick Robertson because he doesn't fit into their lineup. He also noted that Morgan Rielly's performance has plateaued, and his defensive zone play has been inconsistent. Acquiring Erik Karlsson, a Norris Trophy winner with extensive experience, would provide a significant boost to Toronto's power play and overall team performance, according to Rosehill.
Despite the potential benefits for the Leafs, Rosehill remains skeptical about the trade's feasibility, labeling it a "pipe dream deal".
Team Outlooks and Salary Cap Considerations
As the calendar approaches September, the Toronto Maple Leafs are focusing on solidifying their roster for the 2025-26 NHL season. Unlike previous years, there's speculation that the Leafs' core might undergo changes, particularly with Mitch Marner potentially testing the free agent market.
For the 2025-26 season, the NHL's projected salary cap is $95.5 million. Currently, the Leafs have approximately $25.71 million in cap space, with a projected cap hit of around $69.79 million based on 17 players under contract. After signing John Tavares and Matthew Knies, as well as additions of other players, the Maple Leafs have approximately $5 million in salary cap space.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are also preparing for the 2025-26 season with $13,053,571 in projected cap space and a projected cap hit of $82,446,429.
Looking ahead, the NHL salary cap is expected to increase to $104 million for the 2026-2027 season and $113.5 million for the 2027-2028 season.
While the proposed trade may not materialize, both the Maple Leafs and the Penguins are positioned to make strategic moves in the coming seasons.
