Speculation: Erik Karlsson on the move at the deadline?

[Captain Mountain]

The reason they might not retain on him right now is that they only have 1 retention slot, they're using their other 2 on Petry and Smith. They probably want to use that last spot to drive up the return for Pettersson and then will use a retention slot on Karlsson in the off-season.

Especially with Karlsson getting a $5 million signing bonus on July 1st, I think we'll see Karlsson traded right after that bonus is paid. How much retention is based on how much the cap goes up, Karlsson is only owed $11.5 million after that bonus is paid (with San Jose paying $1.5 million of that). If the cap goes up a lot, I could see Karlsson getting traded with fairly low retention due to the low money owed and everyone having a lot of cap space.

Sure, I just don't know what return is expected. Recouping the return he got when he was coming off a Norris Trophy win seems unlikely. Light retention or not.

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

He's by far the best offensive defenseman of his era and maybe of all time

...well, there happens to be this Robert Gordon Orr guy...

 

[34]

50% retention?

Don’t really see any GM biting the bullet here.

 

[KrisLeturnover]

Guarantee another GM will do something stupid if we retain heavy. Cant wait.

 

[bernmeister]

Zib was sub-putrid for like a month and a half and is apparently now back to the living.
If he waived I would add and take EK full pop

 

[n8]

Curious if Detroit would trade EK for Copp + Holl.
Pittsburgh gets a bit of cap back and two M-NTC instead of a NMC. EK has 3 years. Copp has 3. Holl at 2 years.
Maybe get those two back on their game enough to move them in future TDLs.
I still maintain the Yzerplan is to get a 100% Swedish team. Pittsburgh, I mean I guess you move Karlsson for the sake of Karlsson. I don't know what sort of leverage they have to get more, especially with a NMC as part of the formula.

 

[SEALBound]

Curious if Detroit would trade EK for Copp + Holl.
Pittsburgh gets a bit of cap back and two M-NTC instead of a NMC. EK has 3 years. Copp has 3. Holl at 2 years.
Maybe get those two back on their game enough to move them in future TDLs.
I still maintain the Yzerplan is to get a 100% Swedish team. Pittsburgh, I mean I guess you move Karlsson for the sake of Karlsson. I don't know what sort of leverage they have to get more, especially with a NMC as part of the formula.

Honestly, not to be rude, but I think there would have to be a significant add from the wings. Like a first or a blue chip. Copp and Holl aren't doing anything to help the Penguins. They aren't that valuable and make it difficult for the Penguins to weaponize cap space. It also blocks other younger players. So there would have to be incentive. I'm not sure I see a prospect to do it. Danielson, Kasper, Wallander, and Buium are attractive but I don't see them being realistic additions. That said, I'm not sure a 1st alone is enough either.

Something like Copp + 1st for EK retained might work though. Unless we can work Rasmussen in...he's the ideal target but I imagine you'd want to keep him for the same reasons we'd want him. Unless we can send you DOC as a fill in.