Patrick Kane and Sidney Crosby share an agent, does that create a road to the Pittsburgh Penguins? The Pittsburgh Penguins have been patient in their pursuit of three-time Norris Trophy winning defenseman Erik Karlsson, reports of initial talks started ad the draft in late June. Over three weeks later, the poker game is still on between the Penguins, San Jose Sharks, and Carolina Hurricanes, but Pittsburgh might have an ace up their sleeve. Kyle Dubas was recently hired as the president of hockey operations, and shortly after Jason Spezza followed as an assistant general manager. Having Dubas building the Penguins roster is one thing, but Spezza might be the secret weapon in coaxing Karlsson to Pittsburgh. Spezza and Karlsson played together for five seasons with the Ottawa Senators and built a solid relationship. Karlsson told Adam Johansson of Expressen in Sweden [https://www.expressen.se/sport/hockey/erik-karlsson-vinner-guldpucken-2023-bemoter-nu-ryktena/] that he has been in touch with Spezza quite a bit this summer. The conversations, however, have not surrounded business or persuasion to join the Penguins. “Me and Spezza have talked a lot,” Karlsson said. “There has been no business there.” Karlsson said that he has talked to plenty of people within the Penguins’ organization, including Dubas, and is open to a number of opportunities that may come his way. The talks between Karlsson and Spezza might not have involved business dealings, but sometimes just having a friend by your side can go a long way. This isn’t a case of an unrestricted free agent looking for a new team, however, so Karlsson doesn’t have much of the say, but he can try and push for a certain outcome. The Penguins aren't the guaranteed landing spot for Karlsson, nor do they have the most to offer the Sharks, but they are still in the running and Spezza could play a huge role in the outcome. Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins [http://insidethepenguins.com/]for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more! Penguins Trade Targets that Fit Better than Erik Karlsson [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/pens-talk/pittsburgh-penguins-trade-targets-better-erik-karlsson] Penguins Prospect Pipeline Slightly Improves [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/pittsburgh-penguins-prospect-pipeline-improves] Penguins Win NHL 'Stanley Award' for Social Impact and Growth [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/pittsburgh-penguins-win-stanley-award-social-impact-growth] Late Summer Targets for the Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/podcasts/late-summer-targets-pittsburgh-penguins] * undefined * undefined
