What is the source on this rumor?

Sorry bud, there is no reason to think the Leafs "are in on Karlsson". Till Trevling/Grier or NTC Karlsson confirm it, why would you even make such a statement.

They’re 90% out, 10% “in” from what I’ve heard from people that work for the Leafs. They’re not actively calling San Jose asking about him, but they’re keeping their ears open in case something comes up that they absolutely can’t turn down. But they know they’d have to move salary in another deal and San Jose’s asking price is too high for them. So they’re not really in on him but they’re not necessarily fully out. It’s not gonna happen though.

Yeah, the answer to that question could make it make sense real quick.

If that is the type of package being offered to San Jose, no one has to worry about EK coming to Toronto.

For the reasons you yourself set forth, I can't see Toronto being a serious contender for Karlsson. In particular, the only sensible justification for trading Brodie away would be to get a younger or cheaper version of him. Karlsson is neither.

The source is Karlsson himself.

https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/2680181

The source is Karlsson himself stating he's spoken to them

Karlsson confirms talks with Canes, Kraken, Leafs, Penguins
https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/2680181

Hence the "some massive amount of futures". I kept it vague to not have to go into the details of value and just look at the team.

Haha we almost had the exact same reply!

Oh, God, cue the Nylander-for-Karlsson ACGMs.

Haha. Re-reading it, it doesn't say WHEN they spoke. Considering the original source is in Swedish I can't check it. Perhaps they spoke before the draft or something? But yeah. It just doesn't make sense

I guess if Grier is under orders to not rebuild a Karlsson/Nylander trade could maaaaaybe be the basis of something but it still doesn't make sense to me

It’s not as “massive” as you’d think. Right now San Jose is asking Liljegren, Knies, and a 1st as the starting package from Toronto but they’re not willing to retain as much for the Leafs as been reported for other teams (they’ve been reported to be willing to take back up to $3.5M for other teams but for Toronto I’ve heard they’re only willing to do $2M). Leafs also don’t want to move Knies. He’s not untouchable, but he’s unavailable (there’s a difference in those words). So they’re at a stand still.. as I said before, Toronto isn’t actively calling San Jose but they’re keeping their interest known. I don’t expect Karlsson to end up in Toronto though.

Lily, knies and a first is a massive amount of futures for this team. They have minimal futures. With that albatross of a contract the Leafs need to stay away

Liljegren isn’t that much if the future. He doesn’t really fit into Treliving’s style and he hasn’t developed as Shanahan/Dubas thought he would have. He’s available as long as Toronto can get a defenceman to replace him.

The 1st isn’t much of a “future” because you don’t know what it is and it’s always available when you’re a contender. But fans seem to overhype and overvalue 1st round picks.

Knies is the sticking point. Leafs do not want to move him unless they’re really blown away. They’re not blown away by Karlsson. They’ve tried replacing him in the starting package with Robertson but San Jose has a lot of concerns with his injury history.

So unless San Jose is willing to come down in their price or retain more for Toronto like they’re willing to do with other teams, a deal isn’t happening with Toronto. Teams use the Leafs in the media as “having interest” to help drive the price up for other teams that they’re talking more serious to so the price comes up. That’s likely what’s happening here.

I doubt the Leafs are in on EK65, probably just someone trying to create some clickbait cause if you involve the Leafs in a so called rumor then you'll attract more clicks to your piece even if there's zero truth to it.

I can't find any specific time frame from that article. Meaningless if it hasn't been recently. Friedman has stated many times recently that CAR and PIT are the only two having regular discussions. Other teams could have easily been long removed after making many other offseason decisions.

Cool, thanks. Unfortunately, nothing in here says they're still in on him, or even that they ever were to the point of an offer. He just says he "spoke to them some" - past tense.

But I agree with you anyway, it makes no sense for the Leafs to be in on him. From every angle.

I reaaaallly hope you are wrong on trelivings opinion of Lily. He's cheap and has played very well in third pairing minutes and is young with room to grow. I think he'll be out #2 rd for the next decade if we keep him

Brodie is flipable, Murray is negative value and klingburg is pretty close to worthless. Timmons is ok as a throw in so you would be talking 5-6 picks and prospects

They're out on Karlsson. Nothing said implies they've talked since prior to free agency opening. The Leafs get named dropped a lot to generate traction.

It was Karlsson apparently who mentioned them (I don't speak Swedish so I can't tell exactly what he said). But doesn't seem like it was for name dropping. But yes I hope it was pre ufa

Translated the page to get an idea what was said and he really just confirmed he spoke with the teams he was reportedly linked to from pre-free agency.

Also he's going to live in Ottawa when he retires.

Thanks. And cool re Ottawa. Makes sense. He grew up there in a way. Was probably like 20 or something when he got there.