San Jose Sharks' Efforts To Move Erik Karlsson Appear Stalled

The San Jose Sharks still haven't traded star defenseman Erik Karlsson as the calendar flips to August. Which teams are still linked to him?

It's become the summer of Erik Karlsson.

Speculation about where the San Jose Sharks might trade the 33-year-old defenseman has dominated the rumor mill for weeks.

Recent reports have tied Karlsson to several clubs, including the Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes, Seattle Kraken and Toronto Maple Leafs.

As ESPN.com's Kristen Shilton put it, “We all know he's going to be traded. It's just a matter of when, and to where.”

The Penguins appear to be the front-runner, given the number of reports out of Pittsburgh throughout July linking them to the three-time Norris Trophy winner.

Rob Rossi of The Athletic noted the Penguins were the only team of those reportedly interested in Karlsson not to make a major roster move over the past two weeks. The Hurricanes signed defenseman Tony DeAngelo, the Kraken avoided arbitration with blueliner Vince Dunn, and the Leafs announced they plan to put goaltender Matt Murray on long-term injury reserve.

Rossi acknowledged that doesn't mean those clubs are out of the bidding for Karlsson. Nevertheless, he suggested the Penguins might know something the others don't.

Whatever the reason, the Sharks appear to be having difficulty putting a trade together. Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli believes they seek a significant return for Karlsson but claims they haven't found a trade partner willing to meet their asking price.

According to Seravalli, those teams aren't willing to part with anything significant for Karlsson. They're sitting back and waiting for the Sharks to call them back when they want to resume trade discussions.

The Sharks want to maximize Karlsson's trade value, but the other clubs know they must move him this summer. Based on Seravalli's comments, those teams are trying to squeeze the Sharks into lowering their asking price.