Trade Pitch Sees Maple Leafs Acquiring $27 Million Defenseman in Blockbuster Deal with Calgary Flames

The Toronto Maple Leafs are focused on enhancing their defense, and a recent trade proposal reflects that strategy.

Using the PuckGM tool from PuckPedia, a user suggested a trade that would bring Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames to the Maple Leafs.

Maple Leafs receive:

• Rasmus Andersson
• 2026 third-round pick (from Vancouver)

Flames receive:

• Timothy Liljegren
• Fraser Minten
• Calle Jarnkrok
• 2026 first-round pick

This potential blockbuster deal would add Andersson, a reliable top-four defenseman, to the Maple Leafs, while costing them a top prospect and a first-round pick.

Andersson is entering the fifth year of a six-year, $ 27.3 million contract and would serve as an upgrade over Liljegren as the second-pair right-shot defenseman. Last season, he played 78 games, contributing 9 goals and 30 assists for a total of 39 points. Throughout his eight-year career with Calgary, he has played 455 games, tallying 36 goals and 164 assists for 200 points.

In return, the Flames would receive former first-round pick Liljegren, who would fill Andersson’s role on defense. Liljegren has had difficulty maintaining a consistent position in the Maple Leafs lineup, especially toward the end of the season and during playoffs, suggesting a fresh start might benefit him.

Minten is one of Toronto’s top prospects and could potentially join the Maple Leafs out of training camp, with expectations of becoming a bottom-six forward in the NHL.

Jarnkrok, a bottom-six forward for Toronto, would be included in the trade to help with salary cap considerations. He also has familiarity with Calgary, having played 17 regular season and 12 playoff games for the team in the 2021-22 season.

Further Moves Possible for Maple Leafs As NHL training camps are set to begin in September, most teams have finalized their rosters. However, Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving has indicated that the team may pursue additional changes. Toronto kicks off its 2024-25 NHL season on the road against the Montreal Canadiens on October 9.

“We’re not set yet. We continue to look at ways to make our team better,” Treliving stated on TSN 1050’s OverDrive. “I mentioned at the end of last season that we would explore all options. Some may be tempted to make significant changes just for the sake of change, but if those changes don’t improve the team, then they don’t make sense.”

Recently, the Maple Leafs signed Stanley Cup-winning forward Steven Lorentz to a professional tryout on September 3, according to Elliotte Friedman. Currently, Toronto has just over $ 1.2 million in cap space, per PuckPedia.

Flames Sign Defenseman on PTO
Calgary made a move for their defense by bringing in veteran Tyson Barrie on a professional tryout on September 3. NHL insider Frank Seravalli reported that Barrie aims to secure a contract at the end of training camp.

Barrie, who played for the Nashville Predators in the 2023-24 season, appeared in 41 games, recording 1 goal and 14 assists for 15 points. Over his career, he has skated in 809 NHL games, accumulating 109 goals and 396 assists for 505 points.