The Pittsburgh Penguins want Erik Karlsson, but they are going to need some help.

At this point, everyone knows the Pittsburgh Penguins really want to land the reigning Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson.

Adding Karlsson to the Penguins’ lineup has been in Kyle Dubas’ plans since his interview process with Fenway Sports Group.

While that dream seems closer to reality than ever before, it won’t be an easy process for Dubas.

No matter what way you slice it, the Penguins will need to find a third team to help facilitate a trade.

According to Rob Rossi of the Athletic, Dubas met with Jeff Petry and discussed what the near future may hold, and that included being part of the Karlsson trade.

Petry, however, carries a modified no-trade clause and doesn’t want to play too far away from his family based in Michigan.

A deal that sends Petry to San Jose likely isn’t in the cards, but the Penguins will need to move him to open the cap space and roster spot for Karlsson.

Sending Petry to a different team closer to Michigan will be pivotal to the full trade.

The Penguins also need that third team to eat some of Karlsson’s contract; the Penguins are already over the salary cap limit and won’t be able to add his $11 million average annual value.

Sure, the Sharks are willing to retain some of the money, but not enough to please the Penguins.

A third team is going to have to step up and eat at least a couple million dollars of Karlsson’s contract, and the Penguins will likely need to pay an asset for that.

It’s going to be a complicated maneuver, but Dubas wants to make a splash with the Penguins and Karlsson fits the bill.

Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang are on board with Karlsson; Letang is even willing to adjust his role to fit the three-time Norris winner.

All signs continue to point to Pittsburgh as Karlsson’s next home, all Dubas has to do is figure out the money and logistics.

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