The Toronto Maple Leafs, one of the NHL’s top teams, are the subject of a trade proposal involving a two-time Stanley Cup champion. A user on PuckPedia’s PuckGM tool has suggested that the Leafs trade for Yanni Gourde from the Seattle Kraken.
**Proposed Trade:**
– **Maple Leafs receive:** Yanni Gourde (with $1.5 million salary retained by Seattle)
– **Kraken receive:** David Kämpf, Timothy Liljegren
This trade would bring Gourde, a veteran forward with a Stanley Cup pedigree, to Toronto. He’s in the final year of his six-year, $31 million contract and could slot in as the Leafs’ third-line center, strengthening their shutdown line. Gourde played a key role in the Tampa Bay Lightning’s back-to-back Stanley Cup victories in 2020 and 2021. Over 548 NHL games, he has tallied 126 goals and 191 assists for 317 points.
In return, Toronto would send Kämpf and Liljegren to Seattle. Kämpf, who is Toronto’s fourth-line center and a defensive specialist, is currently in the second year of a four-year, $9.6 million deal. Liljegren, a 25-year-old defenseman and former first-round draft pick, signed a two-year, $6 million extension this offseason but has yet to play this season.
**Liljegren’s Season Debut and Trade Rumors**
Although Liljegren has been a healthy scratch for the first three games of the season, he could make his debut on October 16. The defenseman has been working on simplifying his game during practice and is eager to get back on the ice.
“It’s about playing an easier, simpler game,” Liljegren said. “Play hard and simple.”
Despite his potential return, Liljegren has been at the center of trade rumors. The 25-year-old has tried to avoid the speculation, staying off social media to focus on his game.
“I try not to think about it much, I’m not on social media,” Liljegren said. “If something happens, it does. I had some tough times here last year, too, and I got through it. I’m sure it will be no different this time. I love Toronto, came over here when I was 18, love the city, love the team.”
Toronto selected Liljegren 17th overall in the 2017 NHL Draft, and he has since appeared in 196 NHL games, scoring 14 goals and adding 51 assists for 65 points.
**Liljegren Exploring Other Opportunities**
Though Liljegren hasn’t been a regular in the Leafs’ lineup, reports suggest Toronto has allowed him to explore potential trades with other teams. However, the Maple Leafs seem reluctant to let him go entirely.
“Toronto is preaching patience with this,” reported Elliotte Friedman on Hockey Night in Canada. “They are saying there is no reason he can’t still play for us… but he’s 25 years old and wants to be in a position where he can play.”
While there are rumors Liljegren had permission to speak to other teams, the Leafs have denied this. Nonetheless, it’s clear Liljegren is eager to secure regular playing time, whether it’s in Toronto or elsewhere.
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