In a candid interview with a Swedish news outlet Expressen, the San Jose Sharks defenseman talks about the trade process.
Erik Karlsson has made it clear that he wants to go to a contending team and the Toronto Maple Leafs are one of several clubs that have talked to the San Jose Sharks defenseman.
In an interview with Swedish news outlet Expressen, Karlsson, 33, says he’s not content with staying with the Sharks for the remaining four years on his contract and wants to go to a contending team.
“I like San Jose and I like it there, but I've never been able to win before,” he said. “I want that chance now that I'm at the end of my career.
Karlsson’s experienced a resurgence last season. He scored 25 goals and 76 assists and won the Norris Trophy for the third time in his career. Karlsson conducted the interview as he received the Golden Puck, an award given to Sweden’s best hockey player where he cited the Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes, Seattle Kraken and Toronto Maple Leafs as teams he has spoken with.
“I have spoken with Seattle, yes, also some with Toronto. There have been a few more teams as well,” Karlsson said.
Complicating matters is Karlsson’s $11.5 million salary cap hit with all interested partied believed to want San Jose to eat some of the contract in any possible trade.
Karlsson also has a full no-move clause, ensuring he has final say as to where he plays out the remainder of his deal.
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