What would you offer for Erik Karlsson?

From a fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, I would offer nothing for Karlsson and do the same for any other top defencemen in the league. Costs for those players make a trade for them a bad decision.

In my most recent acgm, i have the isles trading ho-sang, bellows, aho, soderstrom, the rights to 2017 2nd round pick robin salo, the rights to 2018 2nd round pick ruslan ishakhov, a top-10 protected 2019 1st, and a 2019 2nd round pick for karlsson and craig anderson

Yeah, it's definitely a seller's market this summer when it comes to top4 Defensemen. High demand, low supply. Sucks, but it's a good time to trade Karlsson and hopefully get a nice haul

Top 4 defencemen are so overpriced right now its ridiculous. But its like anything else, if a GM makes a move, he needs to ensure the move has an overall benefit to the team. This is where so many people just don't get it. Making a trade for a top pairing right handed defencemen at the cost of Nylander + would likely cost way more for a true game breaker (Karlsson) or it'll cost depth guys like Kapanen and a prospect like Liljegren for a guy like Faulk. Both trades don't make sense.

Karlsson while the best defenceman in hockey, has a history of recent injury problems and is approaching 30. How long before he starts diminishing? I refuse to give up Nylander for something that will be losing value.

Option 2 get a defenceman that isn't a super elite but a serviceable top pairing RHD. Think someone like Faulk

Faulk is essentially the right handed Gardiner. He'll help the offence and provide some highlights but he's not great defensively and gives up a tonne of high danger scoring chances. That would still cost you a roster player (Kapanen or Brown) a high pick 1st or 2nd and or a fairly good prospect. That a big price to pay for someone that marginally improves the team.

What makes the most sense is just staying patient, develop players and never make moves that weaken the team or its future.

I mean Karlsson just turned 28. He easily has at least 5 more good years in him (especially with his speed). Also, I wouldn't be worried about Karlsson's injury. He's won a Norris after the Achilles slice and, although he had a slow start to this season because of his surgery that affected his offseason training, he found his game in the 2nd half of the year.

Regardless, the question is, especially with Toronto: Do you trade away a bunch of prospects and picks for a proven Top end defenceman into your lineup? or do you wait for 2,3,4, maybe 5 years to see if your prospects actually pan out or become a bust?