{ "blocks": [ { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Three-time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson looks to be on his way out of the San Jose Sharks organization. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Karlsson is 33 but just had a career season with 101 points. His cap hit is $11.5 million for another four seasons." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The Penguins are searching for more cap space, and to fit EK65 in, they will need to shed salary and have San Jose retain." } }, { "id": "ke0348cd-56c4x644", "type": "embed", "data": { "service": "puckpedia.com", "source": "https://puckpedia.com/e/team/pittsburgh-penguins", "embed": "https://puckpedia.com/e/team/pittsburgh-penguins", "caption": "", "height": "470", "width": "100%" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "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." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier has repeatedly said he isn't just \"going to give up a Norris Trophy winner.\"" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "So what could an EK65 trade look like? I think it could involve a third team like the Nashville Predators." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "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)" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "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." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "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." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "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. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "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. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "This would allow Thomas Bordeleau to have his opportunity in the middle." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "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. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "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." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "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. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "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." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "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." } } ] }

Mike Grier's Plan for the Sharks' Trade of Erik Karlsson

What Could an Erik Karlsson Trade with the Penguins Look Like?