Erik Karlsson has been linked to the Pittsburgh Penguins, but what could the San Jose Sharks get in return?
Erik Karlsson has been linked to the Pittsburgh Penguins, but what could the San Jose Sharks get in return?
Three-time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson looks to be on his way out of the San Jose Sharks organization.
Karlsson is 33 but just had a career season with 101 points. His cap hit is $11.5 million for another four seasons.
The Penguins are searching for more cap space, and to fit EK65 in, they will need to shed salary and have San Jose retain.
One player that has already been rumored to be in a deal is Jeff Petry. There was also a rumor that Pittsburgh was interested in netminder Kaapo Kahkoen, but the Pens decided to bring back Tristan Jarry.
San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier has repeatedly said he isn't just "going to give up a Norris Trophy winner."
So what could an EK65 trade look like? I think it could involve a third team like the Nashville Predators.
Sharks receive:
Jeff Petry (35% retained through NSH)
Mikael Granlund (25% retained by PIT)
Drew O'Conner
2025 PIT 1st round pick
Penguins receive:
Erik Karlsson (50% retained by SJS)
Preds receive:
Casey DeSmith
2024 PIT 4th round pick
2025 SJS 3rd round pick
Jeff Petry (moved to SJS at 35% retained)
This is a lot of moving parts, but given what new Penguins GM Kyle Dubas has done this offseason, a lot of salary will be needed to move.
The Sharks will need to eat as much salary as possible to get their best return. Nashville has committed to a rebuild and has a lot of cap space that can be used to help move the trade along.
Petry only has two years left on his current contract. Like Karlsson, however, Petry would need to approve the trade. O'Conner is a 25-year-old winger listed at 6'3.
O'Connor fits the mold of competitiveness and size that the Sharks seem to be looking for. He would be the replacement for Steven Lorentz but on the wing.
This would allow Thomas Bordeleau to have his opportunity in the middle.
The Penguins' top prospect is arguably Owen Pickering. I doubt he gets moved in any deal like this due to the length, cap hit, and age of EK65.
From most reports, the Sharks do not want to retain the maximum 50% cap hit allowed under the CBA of Karlsson, but for this trade to go down, that is a must. I can't see the Predators wanting to eat two players' salaries for a goalie and two mid-round draft picks.
EK65 wants to go to a club that can win a Stanley Cup. Sidney Crosby and company seem to want to continue to go for it until the wheels fall off.
This return for San Jose can be seen as underwhelming, but it allows the Sharks to have some more cap relief for a longer period of time.
The trade of Erik Karlsson will arguably be the most significant move of any team this off-season and likely define what happens next on the Sharks blueline next season.