Can the Penguins Afford Erik Karlsson?
The Pittsburgh Penguins want Erik Karlsson, but they might not have the assets or space to get it done.
For over a week now, the Pittsburgh Penguins have had their targets locked on three-time Norris Trophy winning defenseman Erik Karlsson.
Kyle Dubas has said on record that any time a player of that caliber is available the Penguins will be involved in some way, and Karlsson was no different.
Despite making a few signings at the defensive position, Dubas has not taken the Penguins out of the running for Karlsson.
With Pittsburgh one of two teams reportedly still in on Karlsson, can the Penguins outbid the Carolina Hurricanes?
It’s well known that the Penguins are thin on attractive assets like prospects and draft picks, and the San Jose Sharks are likely looking for a few in return.
According to David Pagnotta, the Sharks are looking for three or four “significant assets” in a deal for Karlsson.
The Penguins are still fairly shallow in a few areas and it’s curious to wonder who or what the Sharks would be willing to take.
If the Penguins land Karlsson does that mean a top prospect like Sam Poulin or Owen Pickering are going the other way? Maybe the Sharks pry Marcus Pettersson out of Pittsburgh.
Dubas has said that he plans on building a team that can be successful even after the Sidney Crosby era comes to an end, and giving up young assets like that would do damage on the future.
Part of Dubas’ plan is to somehow retain as many ‘younger assets’ as possible in building for down the line.
If the Penguins are still shooting for Karlsson, however, they will have to navigate a complicated salary cap situation.
The Sharks state that they will not retain more than about $3 to 4 million of Karlsson’s $11 million cap hit, leaving whoever lands him on the hook for around $8 to 9 million.
The Penguins are already sitting over the cap ceiling and need to find a way to shed a few million dollars.
Sending Jeff Petry somewhere would help alleviate some of the constraints, but not fully solve the problem.
Petry is currently the highest paid defenseman on the Penguins’ roster with an annual salary of $6.25 million.
Karlsson wants out of San Jose and the Penguins are a destination he has interest in; it’s up to Dubas to find a way to make everything work without compromising the overall ability of the team and their future.
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