BREAKING: SHARKS TRADE ERIK KARLSSON
The San Jose Sharks have traded three-time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports - BREAKING: SHARKS TRADE ERIK KARLSSONThe San Jose Sharks have traded Erik Karlsson to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Karlsson has been the offseason talk as the final move for GM Mike Grier to complete his plan.
The Penguins acquire Erik Karlsson, Dillion Hamaliuk, and a 2026 third-round pick.
San Jose Sharks received forward Mikael Granlund, Mike Hoffman, defenseman Jan Rutta and the Penguins' 2024 first-round pick.
If Pittsburgh's 2024 pick is a top-ten selection, the Penguins can elect to transfer the pick to the 2025 NHL Draft.
The Sharks retain 13% of Karlsson's cap hit, which is $1.5 million for the next four seasons.
There is also a third team involved. The Montreal Canadiens are helping move the trade.
Montreal is receiving goalie Casey DeSmith, defenseman Jeff Petry, Nathan Legare, and a 2025 second-round pick from the Penguins.
EK65 won his third career Norris Trophy after his historic 101-point season. Although he has said he enjoys San Jose, the 33-year-old defenseman wants an opportunity to win a Stanly Cup.
"I've been open that I want to try to win, and San Jose has been open that it won't happen there," Karlsson told Expressen via Google Translate on July 22. "We have a good relationship, and we understand each other, even if it's not a fun situation to get through."
“While it is always difficult to trade a player of the caliber of Erik Karlsson, this trade accomplishes several goals for our franchise,” Grier said. “It adds two forwards to our roster who have proven ability to produce offensively at the NHL level, and solidifies our NHL defense corps. Additionally, acquiring another first round pick gives us the opportunity to continue fortifying our development system with high-end prospects and provides us some financial flexibility to add players as we see fit in the future.
“We want to thank Erik for his contributions in San Jose over the last four years and congratulate him on a remarkable and historic 2022-23 season. We wish Erik, his wife Melinda, Harlow and Stellan all the best in the future.”