Speculation: Erik Karlsson on the move at the deadline?

[Habs Halifax]

In a lot of ways, Karlsson would be a great mentor for Hutson. So there is logic there.

What does the Pens herd think about Gallagher with futures for Karlsson with no retention? It's almost the same as no Gallagher with 50% retention on Karlsson.
Personally, my plan would be Karlsson with Guhle and Carrier moves with Xhekaj. Matheson stays with Hutson until Reinbacher is ready. I think Guhle is a good fit with Karlsson.

As you can see, some Habs fans would do it and some would not. Not an easy decision for either team IMO.

 

[PenguinSuitedUp]

What does the Pens herd think about Gallagher with futures for Karlsson with no retention? It's almost the same as no Gallagher with 50% retention on Karlsson.
Personally, my plan would be Karlsson with Guhle and Carrier moves with Xhekaj. Matheson stays with Hutson until Reinbacher is ready. I think Guhle is a good fit with Karlsson.

As you can see, some Habs fans would do it and some would not. Not an easy decision for either team IMO.

I guess I don’t see the incentive if I’m the one steering the ship for the Pens. Not that I don’t understand what Gallagher brings, but the Pens aren’t going anywhere competitive for the duration of Karlsson’s contract. I’d rather retain 50% of the contract and try to get future assets.

I don’t know how this fits cap wise, but maybe trade Karlsson at 50% plus take Gallagher to get futures from Montreal? What’s the appetite there from your perspective?

 

[Empoleon8771]

I don't think Karlsson makes much sense for Montreal, he'd only be waiving to places to play for a cup contender. I already talked a lot about Dallas but Carolina to replace Burns (most likely after the year) is another option that makes a lot of sense to me. Burns is apparently pretty washed at this point.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I guess I don’t see the incentive if I’m the one steering the ship for the Pens. Not that I don’t understand what Gallagher brings, but the Pens aren’t going anywhere competitive for the duration of Karlsson’s contract. I’d rather retain 50% of the contract and try to get future assets.

I don’t know how this fits cap wise, but maybe trade Karlsson at 50% plus take Gallagher to get futures from Montreal? What’s the appetite there from your perspective?

That would depend on how deep we are going with the futures and the pieces you are after. Our pitch is probably our future picks more than a piece like Hage or Reinbacher. We might have the B+ guys on the table (Mailloux, Beck, Roy, Kapanen, etc) but our dangle would be our 1st rounders. It's possible we have one of those 1st on the table but not both. If both are required, Habs pass and stay put with Gallagher.

It's a risky move for the Habs because we really are not in a terrible spot with Gallagher's 2 years left. We can easily let him expire and he does not block us from retaining our talent or adding a cap hit.

I don't see it happening but fun to consider it. If we have to add futures to what you might be thinking, we might prefer to trade for R Andersson instead.

 

[PenguinSuitedUp]

That would depend on how deep we are going with the futures and the pieces you are after. Our pitch is probably our future picks more than a piece like Hage or Reinbacher. We might have the B+ guys on the table (Mailloux, Beck, Roy, Kapanen, etc) but our dangle would be our 1st rounders. It's possible we have one of those 1st on the table but not both. If both are required, Habs pass and stay put with Gallagher.

It's a risky move for the Habs because we really are not in a terrible spot with Gallagher's 2 years left. We can easily let him expire and he does not block us from retaining our talent or adding a cap hit.

I don't see it happening but fun to consider it. If we have to add futures to what you might be thinking, we might prefer to trade for R Andersson instead.

Does Gallagher have an NMC? I think the whole conversation would be moot anyway considering he seems to want to end his career in Montreal.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Does Gallagher have an NMC? I think the whole conversation would be moot anyway considering he seems to want to end his career in Montreal.

He has one of those NMC but NTC with 6 team no trade list. I believe his NMC is you can't send him to AHL.

The bigger question is would Karlsson waive for Montreal? My gut says 75% of the Habs fan base want nothing to do with Karlsson and 75% or more of the Pens fan base want nothing to do with Gallagher.

This one is very low probability of gaining any traction

 

[PenguinSuitedUp]

He has one of those NMC but NTC with 6 team no trade list. I believe his NMC is you can't send him to AHL.

The bigger question is would Karlsson waive for Montreal? My gut says 75% of the Habs fan base want nothing to do with Karlsson and 75% or more of the Pens fan base want nothing to do with Gallagher.

This one is very low probability of gaining any traction

I think Gallagher is a type of player the Pens have been lacking for a while. Albeit well past his prime. He’s the kind of guy I’m hoping Howe can become. That’s just not someone the Penguins need right now, because they aren’t legitimate contenders.

I can see value in Karlsson, defensive warts and all, for Hutson’s career and development. So if the Pens can figure out a way to give Montreal cap space to have Karlsson and still be cap-responsible, I think there’s a fit there. And I don’t think it takes two firsts. At this point, a first plus would be a win.

I don't think Karlsson makes much sense for Montreal, he'd only be waiving to places to play for a cup contender. I already talked a lot about Dallas but Carolina to replace Burns (most likely after the year) is another option that makes a lot of sense to me. Burns is apparently pretty washed at this point.

I think the incentive for Karlsson would be that he wanted to play for a contender when he went to Pittsburgh and we have not been that. Montreal is trending up, albeit a short term trend. And they have young talent, so for the rest of his contract, playing in the playoffs is a possibility.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I think Gallagher is a type of player the Pens have been lacking for a while. Albeit well past his prime. He’s the kind of guy I’m hoping Howe can become. That’s just not someone the Penguins need right now, because they aren’t legitimate contenders.

I can see value in Karlsson, defensive warts and all, for Hutson’s career and development. So if the Pens can figure out a way to give Montreal cap space to have Karlsson and still be cap-responsible, I think there’s a fit there. And I don’t think it takes two firsts. At this point, a first plus would be a win.


I think the incentive for Karlsson would be that he wanted to play for a contender when he went to Pittsburgh and we have not been that. Montreal is trending up, albeit a short term trend. And they have young talent, so for the rest of his contract, playing in the playoffs is a possibility.

Gallagher still works just as hard as he did in his 20's but his skating has limited him. He's still going to put up 10-15 goals and and 30-40 pts which is not terrible. I find he gets smothered at times with his time/space and makes bad decisions because of it. Not like he does this every game but he's more prone to it at this stage. He's not a whiner either... he's great in our room and has accepted a bottom 6 role.

For me, I rather have Karlsson with Guhle. Guhle is solid at both ends and can provide some stability for Karlsson so he can join the rush more. The issue most Habs would have is having all 3 of Hutson, Karlsson, and Matheson on the same top 4D. Teams can certainly take advantage of that by playing them physical in our end. Great puck movers but when the games get tight, things change. We have seen a little sign of that over the last two games (Wings and Devils).

Who would Karlsson open his NMC for? Not sure. I do think he would value the Habs direction but he does have 2 years left and maybe the best fit for him is with Hedman on Tampa. If you are retaining a lot, I can see a team like Tampa in on that with a growing cap coming.

 

[InsideLaine]

What does the Pens herd think about Gallagher with futures for Karlsson with no retention? It's almost the same as no Gallagher with 50% retention on Karlsson.
Personally, my plan would be Karlsson with Guhle and Carrier moves with Xhekaj. Matheson stays with Hutson until Reinbacher is ready. I think Guhle is a good fit with Karlsson.

As you can see, some Habs fans would do it and some would not. Not an easy decision for either team IMO.

Im starting to see the merit in this suggestion, for both sides. Habs can also get rid of Karlsson in the same way if they need to. Basically we just need to get someone better/more fitting cap dump than Gallagher in the deal, and I dont see how that wouldnt happen. Its a win-win.

But I am wondering the same thing, what are Pens fans' thoughts on the suggestion that Habs Halifax presented?

 

[Lonewolfe2015]

If they trade Karlsson, I feel like it needs to be a team where he can be the offense from the blue line. He seems to suck up the oxygen from any other offensive defenders around him and decrease their overall impact.

So in Edmonton I bet Bouchard takes a hit. Florida makes the most sense imo.

 

[BobClarkesfrontteeth]

There's nothing wrong with playing someone like Karlsson on the bottom pairing 5 on 5.

OEL has played well enough this year that he can be on the second pair with Reilly.

Replace Timmins/Myers on the bottom pairing with EK 5v5 and you suddenly have the secondary scoring the Leafs are looking for. I know everyone wants the Leafs to get a 3C but there is really no player out there who is a solid match compensation wise and at a cap hit they can eat. Add EK at 50% retention with Timmins and Kampf as part of the return to Pittsburg takes care of most of the salary. If the Leafs decide to play him in the top 4 pairing him with McCabe and putting Rielly back with Tanev would add the offence to the back end they are looking for and shore up Rielly's play.