**Trade Proposal Has Maple Leafs Acquiring Former 1st Overall Pick Aaron Ekblad from Panthers**
A fan-created trade scenario on PuckPedia suggests the Toronto Maple Leafs could land former first overall pick and Stanley Cup champion Aaron Ekblad from the Florida Panthers.
According to a hypothetical trade scenario using the PuckGM tool, Ekblad—who has been the subject of trade rumors since the Panthers’ Stanley Cup win—would be traded to Toronto in exchange for four players and two draft picks.
**Proposed Trade:**
**Maple Leafs Receive:**
– Aaron Ekblad
– Carter Verhaeghe
**Panthers Receive:**
– Timothy Liljegren
– Nick Robertson
– Calle Jarnkrok
– Bobby McMann
– 2027 First-Round Pick
– 2025 Second-Round Pick (Florida’s)
Ekblad, the top pick in the 2014 draft, would significantly strengthen Toronto’s defense, while Verhaeghe, who was drafted by Toronto in 2013, would add offensive depth.
In return, Florida would gain some salary cap relief and acquire impactful NHL players. Liljegren would help fill Ekblad’s void on defense, and Robertson, Jarnkrok, and McMann could contribute to the Panthers’ forward lineup. Additionally, Florida would receive a first-round pick and their own second-round pick to use in future trades or keep.
**Ekblad on the Trade Block**
Prior to NHL free agency on July 1, NHL insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reported that Ekblad was available for trade. Pagnotta mentioned that Ekblad, entering the final year of his contract, was being discussed in trade talks with several teams, including Toronto. Ekblad, 28, will have his full no-movement clause convert to a 12-team no-trade list starting July 1, coinciding with a $3 million signing bonus.
Pagnotta identified Toronto, along with the Utah Hockey Club and Nashville Predators, as potential suitors for Ekblad, who has one year remaining on his eight-year, $60 million contract with Florida. Ekblad has played 676 NHL games, tallying 115 goals and 232 assists for 347 points.
**Maple Leafs GM Optimistic About Defensive Upgrades**
Toronto has focused on strengthening its defense this offseason by signing Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. They also re-signed restricted free agent Liljegren to a two-year deal. Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving expressed enthusiasm about the defensive improvements.
“When I look at the defense right now, I think it has a good blend. You have some puck movers, you have some size, you have some penalty killing. We have lefties and righties. Defensemen are so hard to get. It opens up different options for us as we move forward in the summer. It certainly gives the coaching staff a lot of options with a lot of different guys who can do a lot of different jobs,” Treliving said on July 1.
Toronto was eliminated in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs last season by the Boston Bruins.
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