The free agency market is nearing emptiness, with most players already settled into their new teams or continuing their run on familiar ice. However, trade rumors are running amok, surrounding some veterans with a proven track record.
Now, a former Toronto Maple Leafs player has spoken up about who the team should target, noting one is better suited for the Toronto outfit.
Forward Touted as a Better Trade for the Toronto Maple Leafs Than Expensive D-Man
Erik Karlsson and Bryan Rust are both high on the Pittsburgh Penguins’ tradeable assets list. While Rust no longer has the protection of a no-movement clause, making him more likely to be traded, things can get complicated with Karlsson, the star defenseman, who has a complete no-movement clause. Rust is one of the players linked to the Maple Leafs, although acquiring him will be far from easy.
In one of the latest episodes of the “First Up with Korolnek and Colaiacovo” podcast, the former Maple Leafs defenseman openly admitted that Rust was the forward the Leafs should go for.
When asked if the team should go for a D-man of Karlsson’s caliber or go for one of the forwards, “Would you rather the Toronto Maple Leafs trade for Erik Karlsson from the Penguins or trade for one of their forwards, Bryan Rust or Rickard Rakell?” the ex-Leafs defenseman put it straight, “Bryan Rust. I like Bryan Rust. I don’t want Karlsson”.
Should #LeafsForever trade for Erik Karlsson? @CarloColaiacovo explained why they need to make that move this morning! Do you agree with Carlo? Let us know! 👇 pic.twitter.com/rTM0lALpXU
— First Up (@FirstUp1050) July 10, 2025
But what is not to like about Karlsson? The Swedish defenseman has had a long and illustrious career since being drafted in the first round of the 2008 NHL draft. Besides his impressive NHL career, where he has earned 870 points in 1084 regular-season games, Karlsson is also a three-time James Norris Memorial Trophy awardee and earned the title of the “Best Defenseman” in the 2014 Winter Olympics. Yet, Colaiacovo has his qualms about Karlsson on two grounds.
As the former Leafs player clarifies, the Swedish d-man is, first of all, old. At 35, Colaiacovo believes Karlsson is past his prime. Secondly, and arguably the reason why Colaiacovo prefers Rust to Karlsson, the latter is overpaid. “He makes too much money.” It’s difficult to dismiss this argument. Karlsson’s current contract is worth $92 million, bearing a cap hit of $11.5 million. The eight-year contract took effect in 2019 and will remain in place until 2027.
On the other hand, Rust, although not significantly younger than Karlsson at 33, is a more economical option. The right-winger’s six-year contract with the Penguins is worth $30.75 million, with a cap hit of $5.13 million.
READ MORE: ERIK KARLSSON TRADE RUMORS HEAT UP
Rust is a reliable option with a decorated NHL career. Over the years, he has accumulated 437 points over 638 regular-season games. Moreover, Rust is a two-time Stanley Cup champion, while Karlsson, although a vision on the rink, has never been a part of a champion team.
Although Colaiacovo has compelling reasons to prefer Rust over Karlsson, the former has emphasized his loyalty to the Penguins. While one of the two forwards between Rakell and Rust is expected to be traded this summer, as David Alter recently pointed out, the Leafs’ lack of assets to offer the Penguins in return has the potential to disrupt any fair trade between the two.
