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Trade idea has Maple Leafs acquiring Evgeni Malkin.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have a need for a top-six forward, and they could look to the trade market to acquire one.
Heavy.com has a trade idea that sees the Maple Leafs acquiring Evgeni Malkin from the Pittsburgh Penguins in a blockbuster move.
Maple Leafs acquire:
Penguins acquire:
The proposed deal would be a blockbuster as Toronto would acquire Malkin for two NHL forwards and a second-round pick. The Maple Leafs would go all-in on this move to acquire Malkin to add some winning experience to their lineup, while the cost wouldn’t be too high.
Toronto would acquire Malkin, who’s entering the final year of his four-year, $24.4 million deal. The Russian is expected to be a trade candidate as Pittsburgh is unlikely to re-sign him. Malkin is a three-time Stanley Cup champion and a one-time Conn Smythe Award winner who would be a top-six forward for the Maple Leafs. Malkin would add some secondary scoring and is a known playoff performer. He recorded 16 goals and 34 assists for 50 points in 68 games last season.
In return, the Maple Leafs would give up a second-round pick and two forwards. Robertson’s name has come up in trade rumors, while he’s been linked to the Penguins. Robertson doesn’t have a clear path to playing time and could be dealt. He recorded 15 goals and 7 assists for 22 points in 69 games last season.
Toronto would also trade Jarnkrok to help the salary work, as his name has come up in trade rumors. Jarnkrok is entering the final year of his four-year, $8.4 million deal. He could be flipped at the deadline for another asset but would fill a bottom-six role for the Penguins.
Penguins Could Trade Malkin
Malkin has spent his entire career with the Penguins and is an all-time legend.
However, with this being the final year of his deal, reports have indicated the Penguins don’t plan on re-signing him. Penguins insider Josh Yohe of The Athletic reported this will be Malkin’s final year in Pittsburgh.
“Evgeni Malkin will return for his 20th campaign with the Penguins next season. It will be his last in Pittsburgh,” Yohe wrote. “While it remains unclear if future Hall of Fame center will retire following the 2025-26 season, the Penguins are not expected to offer him another contract with the franchise, sources within the organization said.”
With the Penguins not expected to offer Malkin another contract, it would make sense for Pittsburgh to look to trade the star winger. He would be a top-six forward on a playoff team and add some secondary scoring.
Despite being 39 years old, Malkin is still an impact player and is also a known playoff performer, which the Maple Leafs need.
Maple Leafs Linked to Trading 2 Forwards
Toronto has done a nice job adding depth to the bottom-six; the Maple Leafs still need to add to the top-six.
General manager Brad Treliving has said that adding a top-six forward is a need. But, NHL insider David Pagnotta reported that Toronto is still looking to trade away two players off its roster.
“Also on the Leafs, forwards David Kampf and Calle Jarnkrok remain available for trade,” Pagnotta wrote.
The Maple Leafs have an excess of forwards, and Kampf, Jarnkrok, and Robertson’s names have all come up in trade rumors.
Cole Shelton Cole Shelton covers the NHL and MLB for Heavy.com. He has covered pro and college sports since 2016, including bylines at BJ Penn, USA Today, SB Nation, Rotowire, Canadian Baseball Network and more. More about Cole Shelton
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