Salary Cap Projections Update For Next Season Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk1MjA1NDkyNjU2NTc5Nzgz/usatsi_19746763.jpg] The San Jose Sharks' Erik Karlsson, Minnesota Wild's Matt Dumba and the Philadelphia Flyers' Ivan Provorov surfaced last week in the trade rumor mill [https://thehockeynews.com/author/lyle-richardson]. Here's the latest media chatter involving those three defensemen. San Jose Hockey Now's Sheng Peng [https://sanjosehockeynow.com/san-jose-sharks-erik-karlsson-bob-stauffer-trade/] cited Edmonton Oilers color commentator Bob Stauffer claiming he'd heard the Sharks' asking price for Karlsson “in a perfect world” was three first-round picks. They would also retain 18 percent of the 32-year-old blueliner's $11.5-million cap hit. Peng didn't consider that to be a serious request by the Sharks. He believes they'll have to retain more of Karlsson's annual cap hit (which runs through 2026-27) to get more than one first-rounder. The Mercury News' Curtis Pashelka [https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/01/13/sharks-mike-grier-facing-big-decisions-ahead-but-also-sees-intriguing-possibilities/] subsequently reported that Sharks general manager Mike Grier declined to discuss his supposed price tag for Karlsson. Nevertheless, he didn't consider Stauffer's report to be entirely accurate. Meanwhile, the Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch [https://ottawasun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/ottawa-senators/snapshots-next-three-weeks-will-be-pivotal-in-determining-senators-deadline-approach] claimed the Senators were among the clubs interested in Dumba, who's slated to become an unrestricted free agent in July. While the Wild are in playoff contention, Garrioch reported GM Bill Guerin was open to trading the 28-year-old rearguard. Guerin told The Athletic's Joe Smith [https://theathletic.com/4091048/2023/01/14/wild-trade-deadline-bill-guerin/] that teams are calling about Dumba. However, he's not actively shopping him, adding he'd want a defenseman in return. As for Provorov, The Philadelphia Inquirer's Giana Han [https://www.inquirer.com/flyers/flyers-ivan-provorov-trade-rumors-deadline-20230112.html] cited NHL Network's Brian Lawton saying the Flyers shouldn't trade the 25-year-old defenseman for anything less than a first-round pick plus two other pieces. With Provorov signed through 2024-25, Han observed the Flyers aren't under pressure to move him this season. Provorov told Philly Hockey Now's Sam Carchidi [https://phillyhockeynow.com/2023/01/11/philadelphia-flyers-trade-talk-ivan-provorov-wants-to-stay-rumors-defensive-partners-cam-york-tony-deangelo-rasmus-ristolainen/] that he'd heard the trade rumors. However, he insists he wants to remain a Flyer.
