Erik Karlsson is seemingly on his way out of the San Jose Sharks and could be traded to one of these two Metropolitan Division teams.
The San Jose Sharks off-season has been successful, but the looming trade of Erik Karlsson is likely the final significant move.
Karlsson finished a career-best 101-point season with his third Norris Trophy. The Sharks are embarking on a major rebuild, but EK65 wants to win.
San Jose Sharks' GM Mike Grier is willing to eat some salary, but based on reports, he doesn't want to eat the complete 50% allowed during a trade.
The Pittsburgh Penguins and the Carolina Hurricanes seem to be the preferred destination for the defenseman.
Reports suggested that Karlsson was close to being dealt to PIT, but the deal never came together.
As of three days ago, however, there is speculation that EK65 is still talking to multiple teams.
With such a high-profile trade, both Elliotte Friedman and Grier himself have suggested that Sharks owner Hasso Plattner is more involved than usual in this deal. After all, his money will pay Karlsson to play for another team should he be traded.
"I'm still not convinced that as much as Erik Karlsson wants a trade and the Sharks would like to move him, that it will ultimately come to pass," Frank Seravalli said on Wednesday. "The reason for that, the Sharks are still asking for a haul. And with his contract, even at 20 percent retained, at $9.3-9.5 million AAV per year. Teams have to carve that out of their cap at this point to make something like that work. That's an exercise in and of itself."
Karlsson's $11.5 million cap hit for another four seasons is not easy to trade. The Sharks also have to ensure they get a proper return for a three-time Norris Trophy winner.
"The more they retain, the better the deal has to be," Friedman said.
Karlsson spoke to the media during the NHL Awards in late June and was very candid about the situation.
"I'm very open-minded. I don't have a preferred destination, or I think this team is the best team. There's so many teams right now," Karlsson said. "Like you just have to make the playoffs, and you have a chance to win."
Grier will have to do his best in a tricky situation to ensure he properly sets up the San Jose Sharks' future. The Erik Karlsson trade saga seems to be never-ending, but at this moment, a trade seems on its way, eventually.