Speculation: Erik Karlsson on the move at the deadline?

[Agent Zuuuub]

why do you think that will work? He was excellent in Ottawa as "the guy" and scored 101 points as "the guy" on the sharks. Every season he's had to share top dog responsibilities he hasnt been great. This exact reasoning is why the trade to Pitt was stupid from the start (since they have Letang).

Why are people trying to triple down on something that demonstrably doesnt work??

i mean the only time San Jose was good was the first year Karlsson was there, and what didn't work then? They made it to WCF.

Sharks were dominant with Karlsson and Burns on different pairings that year and the only reason they didn't win the cup was injuries. After that season they didn't become bad because Karlsson and Burns were sharing duties its because they lost their depth + Pavelski who was the glue for the forwards.

In Pittsburgh the team was already on the way down before Karlsson got there. So it's not that Pittsburgh sucked because they had Letang and Karlsson sharing, its that Pittsburgh would be mediocre unless you could rewind the time on Crosby, Malkin, etc

 

[Moridin]

IF Karlsson is moved it will be with heavy retention plus an icky contract or two back. Only then can you start to talk about the value for his services, and that will be further hampered by his NMC. This isn't going to be an easy trade for Dubas to make.

Karlsson at 50% off starts at an unprotected first.

 

[VeteranPresence]

Karlsson at 50% off starts at an unprotected first.

Not unless the Pens are also eating one or two other mid-sized contracts on top. Contenders can’t afford a $5M D parachuted in at the deadline, and non-playoff teams won’t want him.

 

[MCR74]

Not unless the Pens are also eating one or two other mid-sized contracts on top. Contenders can’t afford a $5M D parachuted in at the deadline, and non-playoff teams won’t want him.

Playoff teams might not be too keen on him either.

 

[frightenedinmatenum2]

Dubas is going to invent the "buyout-and-trade".

He will approach Karlsson and get a list of teams that he would agree to sign a 1 year 2M per contract with a NMC with.

He will then approach those teams and ask for a return commiserate with renting Karlsson for a year at 2M per.

When all three sides are in agreement, he will buyout Karlsson and Karlsson will sign with that team. That team will send Dubas the draft picks, and because the UFA rights to Jesse Puljujarvi are clearly worth a 1st round+++, the league could not investigate Tampa and Pittsburgh for any form of circumvention.

 

[frightenedinmatenum2]

Karlsson needs to be "the guy" on defense wherever he goes. Van doesn't have that opportunity

I think it is the opposite at this point. You have to keep in mind, he is turning 35 this year and has lots of milage on his body. He is only going to get worse physically.

The best spot for Karlsson would be somewhere that already has a top 4 set in stone, but needs help driving offense.

The way I see him is that he would be a billion dollar Chris Wideman. Give him 80 percent o-zone starts and shifts against weak players. But unlike Wideman, he is competent enough to play on the top 2 pairings on a case-by-case basis when it is strategically beneficial.

The problem is that someone is going to acquire him to be 25-year-old Erik Karlsson, and not 35-year-old Erik Karlsson.

 

[SteelCityCannon]

Karlsson is such a weird case. Disclaimer, he's one of my favorite players ever.

That said, it's been proven he's best when he has the puck, and when he's the guy. When he was the one star left on the Sens he drags them to the ECF. His best sharks year is after Joe and PM are gone. He's just not valueable as a support player.

Which isn't to say he's not valuable still, but what playoff team works for him when you think about it? I'm honestly not sure.

 

[BigTomBomber]

Karlsson is such a weird case. Disclaimer, he's one of my favorite players ever.

That said, it's been proven he's best when he has the puck, and when he's the guy. When he was the one star left on the Sens he drags them to the ECF. His best sharks year is after Joe and PM are gone. He's just not valueable as a support player.

Which isn't to say he's not valuable still, but what playoff team works for him when you think about it? I'm honestly not sure.

Dallas

 

[n8]

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.

I don't blame you one bit. Just the random musings of a 3rd party entity. Good to see your thoughts.

 

[Barsky]

Dallas

Good call, Lundqvist hasn't exactly turned out as they had hoped and having Lyubushkin play as a top 4 D is far from ideal I'm sure

 

[Empoleon8771]

Dallas makes an absurd amount of sense for Karlsson. They have an elite DFD in Lindell to pair him with and help mask his defensive issues, plus Oettinger in net also can bail out a lot of defensive miscues. They are not getting a ton of offense out of their blue line, with Heiskanen and Harley only barely at a 40 point pace and everyone else below it. They have a need at RD, since Dumba has been an absolute dud for them since being signed in the off-season. They also have a bad powerplay that Karlsson should be able to help.

From Karlsson's side, Dallas has made the WCF in 2 of the last 3 years and are about as good of a contender as basically anyone in the NHL. He'd immediately be jumping to a top contender and has said that his main focus right now is winning. I also vaguely recall reports that Dallas was a bit interested when Karlsson was traded back in 2023 as well.

Karlsson at $6 million for Dumba and a 1st is a very simple deal that I feel makes a lot of sense for both sides. The Penguins at least recover the 1st they traded for Karlsson, even if the pick is worse than the one they gave up. The Stars get a player that fills a huge need for them and gets out of a dud Dumba contract, and it just costs them a late 1st to do that.

 

[Barsky]

Dallas makes an absurd amount of sense for Karlsson. They have an elite DFD in Lindell to pair him with and help mask his defensive issues, plus Oettinger in net also can bail out a lot of defensive miscues. They are not getting a ton of offense out of their blue line, with Heiskanen and Harley only barely at a 40 point pace and everyone else below it. They have a need at RD, since Dumba has been an absolute dud for them since being signed in the off-season. They also have a bad powerplay that Karlsson should be able to help.

From Karlsson's side, Dallas has made the WCF in 2 of the last 3 years and are about as good of a contender as basically anyone in the NHL. He'd immediately be jumping to a top contender and has said that his main focus right now is winning. I also vaguely recall reports that Dallas was a bit interested when Karlsson was traded back in 2023 as well.

Karlsson at $6 million for Dumba and a 1st is a very simple deal that I feel makes a lot of sense for both sides. The Penguins at least recover the 1st they traded for Karlsson, even if the pick is worse than the one they gave up. The Stars get a player that fills a huge need for them and gets out of a dud Dumba contract, and it just costs them a late 1st to do that.

Dumba's been a dud for ages now and Lyubushkin is what he is so Nill giving them a combined 7 mil seemed like the height of desperation and shortsightedness

 

[Hockey Dad]

Lyobushkin has been a good player for the Stars. I would trade Dumba and a first for Karlsson in a heartbeat at 6 million. He is one thing they desperately need. Lindell or Miro can partner with him and cover his defense