A fan-made trade pitch on PuckPedia suggests a blockbuster deal where the Toronto Maple Leafs would acquire former first overall pick and Stanley Cup champion Aaron Ekblad from the Florida Panthers.
Using PuckGM, a new interactive tool on PuckPedia, the proposed trade sends Ekblad to Toronto along with Carter Verhaeghe in exchange for four players and two draft picks.
Maple Leafs receive:
- Aaron Ekblad
- Carter Verhaeghe
Panthers receive:
- Timothy Liljegren
- Nick Robertson
- Calle Jarnkrok
- Bobby McMann
- 2027 first-round pick
- 2025 second-round pick (Florida’s)
Ekblad, the No. 1 pick in the 2014 draft, would significantly enhance Toronto’s defense. Verhaeghe, drafted by Toronto in 2013, would boost the team’s offensive capabilities.
For Florida, this trade would clear valuable cap space and bring in impact players. Timothy Liljegren would help replace Ekblad, while Nick Robertson, Calle Jarnkrok, and Bobby McMann could fit into the Panthers’ forward lineup. Additionally, Florida would acquire a first-round pick and a second-round pick, providing flexibility for future trades or drafts.
Ekblad on the Trade Block
Ahead of NHL free agency on July 1, NHL insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reported that Ekblad was on the trade block.
“According to multiple well-placed sources, the Panthers are shopping 2014 first-overall pick Aaron Ekblad, who is entering the final year of his contract, and have already had discussions with some teams about his availability. Ekblad, 28, will see his full no-movement clause shift to a 12-team no-trade list on July 1, when he is also due a $3 million signing bonus,” Pagnotta wrote on June 27.
Pagnotta mentioned that three teams, including Toronto, are interested in trading for Ekblad, who has one year left on his eight-year, $60 million deal with Florida.
“Several teams are looking to acquire a top-pair defenseman, especially one with a right shot, most prominently being the Utah Hockey Club, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Nashville Predators,” Pagnotta added.
Ekblad has played in 676 career NHL games, recording 115 goals and 232 assists for 347 points.
Maple Leafs GM Pleased with Defensive Improvements
Toronto focused on strengthening their defense during the offseason, signing Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson in free agency. The team also re-signed RFA Liljegren to a two-year deal. Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving expressed his satisfaction with these moves.
“When I look at the defense right now, I think it has a good blend. You have some puck movers, you have some size, you have some penalty killing. We have lefties and righties. Defensemen are so hard to get. It opens up different options for us as we move forward in the summer. It certainly gives the coaching staff a lot of options with a lot of different guys who can do a lot of different jobs,” Treliving said on July 1.
Toronto was eliminated in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs last season by the Boston Bruins.
Cole Shelton covers the NHL for Heavy.com. He has covered pro and college sports since 2016, with bylines at BJ Penn, USA Today, SB Nation, Rotowire, Canadian Baseball Network, and more.
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