Carter Verhaeghe and Aaron Ekblad linked to Leafs in blockbuster trade
Another trade has emerged online surrounding the Toronto Maple Leafs, but this time Mitch Marner is not a part of it as the Leafs look to add more superstar players.
The mock trade has the Toronto Maple Leafs as big buyers, adding Florida Panthers superstars Aaron Ekblad and Carter Verhaeghe. Adding these two players could turn the Leafs' fortunes around as they look to finally find consistent playoff success.
Maple Leafs get:
Aaron Ekblad
Carter Verhaeghe
Panthers get:
Timothy Liljegren
Nick Robertson
Calle Jarnkrok
Bobby McMann
2027 first-round pick
2025 second-round pick (Florida's)
Aaron Ekblad
Carter Verhaeghe
Panthers get:
Timothy Liljegren
Nick Robertson
Calle Jarnkrok
Bobby McMann
2027 first-round pick
2025 second-round pick (Florida's)
There once was a time where Aaron Ekblad would have been seen as the biggest piece in a trade like this, but now Verhaeghe has really developed into a superstar in his own right. Not only is he a great goal-scorer, but he is also very clutch, always finding ways to score in big moments in the playoffs. Last season he was second in the entire league in creating scoring chances in the playoffs, only behind Wyatt Johnston.
Which forwards created the most scoring chances at 5v5 by shooting and passing the puck in the first round of the 2024 playoffs?
Here's the top 40, per AllThreeZones:
1. Wyatt Johnston
2. Carter Verhaeghe
Here's the top 40, per AllThreeZones:
1. Wyatt Johnston
2. Carter Verhaeghe
Ekblad and Verhaeghe are a big get. So what do the Panthers get in return? A first round pick never hurts, but it being in 2027 does sting a bit, and the 2025 2nd rounder does figure to be close to the 3rd round given how good the Panthers are. However, they also get several good depth players including Bobby McMann, who seemingly came out of nowhere to score 15 goals in just 56 games for the Leafs last season.
Bobby McMann, signed to a 2x$1.35M extension by TOR, is a utility winger who's created scoring chances and goals at an efficient rate this season. #LeafsForever
Another familiar name in Leafs mock trades shows up in Timothy Liljegren. The Leafs just signed him to a very nice two-year deal that carries a cap hit of just 3 million dollars. Liljegren is still young and has the potential to turn into a solid two-way top four defenseman. He's already close to that level, but needs more experience in the playoffs to reach his full potential.
Timothy Liljegren, signed 2x$3M by TOR, is a second-pairing two-way puck-moving defenceman. This season he proved that he could keep up his performance in a bigger role, but admittedly has not yet shown that he can do it in the playoffs as well. #LeafsForever
That being said, Liljegren has already stated that he is happy in Toronto. However, he does not have any trade protection, so he could very easily be moved if the team found a deal they really liked.
Timothy Liljegren: "I feel good. Toronto was always the place I wanted to be, and I'm happy we got it done."
Does this deal seem plausible to you? Will the Leafs look to make a big splash next season? What about Mitch Marner? Would he really not be a part of a trade like this? All we can do is watch and see what happens.
| POLL | ||
5 AOUT | 101 ANSWERS Carter Verhaeghe and Aaron Ekblad linked to Leafs in blockbuster trade Do you think this would be a fair trade between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers? | ||
| Yes | 59 | 58.4 % |
| No | 42 | 41.6 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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