NHL's Top Insider links Erik Karlsson to Toronto Maple Leafs.

With the 2026-2027 National Hockey League regular season now only just a month away action around the NHL has started to pick up once again, including a wild theory this week from the league's very best insider.

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman hit the airwaves this week to discuss some of the big news that has circulated around the league over the summer, but before he signed off he dropped a very interesting theory on a potential trade between the Toronto Maple Leafs and their former general manager Kyle Dubas who is currently at the helm of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

"I got back from vacation and I started calling around... one guy said to me 'I have a 2026-27 prediction... my prediction is Erik Karlsson becomes a Toronto Maple Leaf,'" revealed Friedman on the 32 Thoughts Podcast.

Friedman did stress that this was merely just a theory at this time, but it's one that he seems to be on board with.

"That's a good theory," said Friedman.

The insider shared one more tidbit as well, revealing that his unnamed source wasn't merely guessing but instead relying on a suddenly abundant Swedish connection in the Toronto front office to lure Karlsson to the Maple Leafs.

"He said 'If it comes to the point where he's on the market, Matt Sundin, Daniel Alfredsson, Erik Karlsson, Toronto,'" concluded Friedman leaving his co-host in disbelief.

Karlsson is entering the final year of his 8 year deal this season so if the Penguins do find themselves out of the playoff picture, a trade is certainly within the realm of possibility. Even in that scenario however Karlsson would have to be willing to waive his no-movement clause in order to make this trade a reality.