NHL Rumor Roundup: The Latest On Penguins' Karlsson, Ducks' Gibson And Utah's Maccelli
Erik Karlsson (Kyle Ross-Imagn Images)Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson's performance for Sweden in the 4 Nations Face-Off prompted some observers to suggest rival clubs might look at him more closely in the NHL trade market.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman also commended Karlsson's 4 Nations play, suggesting the 34-year-old defenseman might be a good fit with the Dallas Stars. However, he stressed that was just his theory, and he wasn't certain if it could be done.
Josh Yohe of The Athletic cited a Pittsburgh Penguins source saying GM Kyle Dubas would move Karlsson if he could. An Eastern Conference executive told him the blueliner's name is in the trade market, but the Penguins would have to retain salary. Another executive suggested trading Karlsson could become an off-season move.
Karlsson's contract remains the sticking point. The Penguins are carrying $10 million of his $11.5 million average annual value through 2026-27. He still has a full no-movement clause.
Turning to the struggling Edmonton Oilers, concerns about the reliability of goaltending tandem Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard had some pundits pondering whether they'd pursue John Gibson of the Anaheim Duck as an upgrade.
Gibson, 30, is signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $6.4 million and a 10-team no-trade list. However, it's been reported the Oilers and Carolina Hurricanes are among his preferred trade destinations.
TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported the Oilers don't consider a goaltending upgrade a priority. They also don't see Gibson as an improvement over Skinner and aren't enamored with his contract.
Meanwhile, the Utah Hockey Club doesn't want to become sellers this season. Writing for The Athletic, Pierre LeBrun reports they're already loaded with draft picks and want to make a splash in their new market by staying in the playoff chase. As of Feb. 27, they're only four points out of the final Western Conference wild-card spot.
LeBrun believes Utah GM Bill Armstrong could be open to packaging some of his picks with a player or two in return for something more "dynamic" in a hockey trade. In other words, a player who can help them now and in the future.
Those picks could be bundled with Matias Maccelli. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman suggested the 24-year-old Utah left winger could be worth watching as the trade deadline approaches.
Maccelli had a career-high 57 points in 2023-24. He's struggling this season with just 18 points in 52 games and was a healthy scratch in several recent games.
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