Toronto Maple Leafs get a former first-overall pick in a blockbuster mock trade

This evening a new mock trade has surfaced between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers that would bring a former first overall pick and Stanley Cup Champ to Toronto.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have made several upgrades to their defense this summer. The most notable move is the sign and trade for Chris Tanev. Today a new trade rumor would make a splash even bigger with the Florida Panthers.

A new trade proposed on the website PuckPedia has explored the possibility of the Toronto Maple Leafs adding Aaron Ekblad in a major trade. The eight piece trade would give up significant assets for the Toronto Maple Leafs to land Aaron Ekblad.

This trade would be a definitive sign that the Toronto Maple Leafs are going all-in for the 2024-25 NHL season. They would also be able to right a past wrong by adding Carter Verhaeghe who they traded away before he hit his prime.

Is the price for Aaron Ekblad worth it for the Toronto Maple Leafs?

In the process of landing Aaron Ekblad and Carter Verhaeghe the Toronto Maple Leafs would have to give up a ton. They would send arguably their second-best defenseman in Timothy Liljegren who 23 points in 55 games this past season. In addition, frustrated prospect Nick Robertson, as well as forwards Calle Jarnkrok and Bobby McMann would head to Florida.

The Panthers would add a ton of depth with this trade and a forward with upside on a cheap contract in Nick Robertson. They also recoup draft capital that they have traded away over the years in pursuit of their Stanley Cup.

The Maple Leafs would add Aaron Ekblad who is a bonafide top-four defenseman coming off of a great year on a Stanley Cup winning team. Early in his career Aaron Ekblad was an offensive force with a peak of 57 points in 61 games. This season he took a back seat offensively but still played a ton of minutes on a good team. This means he could have a lot of versatility in his style of games depending on the Maple Leafs' needs.

The Maple Leafs also would receive Carter Verhaeghe who they originally drafted in 2013. The 28-year-old forward would immediately head into the Toronto Maple Leafs top-six and give the team another skilled forward to stack the lineup. Over both of the last two seasons, Carter Verhaeghe has eclipsed the 70-point plateau.

If the Florida Panthers are willing to make a major shake-up to the core of their roster this move could be potentially good for both sides. The Panthers likely would take a step back in the short term but could be set up better in the long run. However, that might not be a risk the Panthers would be willing to take. For the Maple Leafs bringing in this type of skill and pedigree for this cost is a no-brainer.

Source: Hockey Feed6-player monster trade scenario between Leafs and Panthers stuns fans! Would you pull the trigger on this massive transaction?

Source: Hockey DBTimothy Liljegren Stats

Source: Hockey DBAaron Ekblad Stats

Source: Hockey DB Carter Verhaeghe Stats

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