Confirmed with Link: Penguins acquire Erik Karlsson for Granlund, 1st rounder in 2024, Rutta, Petry, DeSmith (more in first post)

[Turin]

Very true, definitely something that was never in Hextall's "this is really hard" mindset. Good luck with your re-homing, man. Lost a 15 year old dog last year and it still sucks. But lucked into a wonderful puppy three weeks ago, and that whole "circle of life' thing. Of course this dog may not be long for the world if she doesn't stop chewing my power cords.

Thanks that does mean a lot. The dog is kinda crazy yet I basically credit him for helping turn my life around in late 2015 when I got him (and as a good luck charm for the Pens.) I’m lucky that my parents are willing to have him so I’ll still be able to see him around. He’s a quirky dog with social issues so I would never be willing to give him to a stranger, but at the same time he’s just too anxious around my daughter as she learns how to crawl around at warp speed, grab everything and chew power cords like your puppy. Sorry about your old dog, they really are family member except the kind that you’re never really mad at, so it’s like a super-family member haha.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

It still feels super weird to realize Erik Karlsson is gonna be a Penguin for the rest of his, and likely Sid/Geno's careers.

 

[Hazed Yoshi]

Bit of a late post here but wow. Really feels kinda surreal we have aquired Karlsson, a player I have wanted here for years but I also noticed that Dubas also got rid of pure junk in the process as well. Have to give him credit for that. If the core can remain healthy along with Karlsson then I honestly see no reason why this team can't become cup contenders but it's a BIG if.

I am exited to watch the games again. Hope yall have a good day!

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

I forget who said it here first but maybe the answer is to let Karlsson QB the thing from Kessel's spot. It gives Karlsson a bit of freedom to move around knowing Letang has the point and can cover him.

Of course, the fact that both can rotate with each other fairly freely, letting us try this new fangled thing called movement, is also brilliant.

That was me.
The thought being that EK's shot is more dangerous vs Letangs from in close. Plus I think EK is a better passer/distributer than Letang.

I also believe EK would be more akin to driving the net from that left dot to produce some congesting in front instead of Letang

 

[SEALBound]

That was me.
The thought being that EK's shot is more dangerous vs Letangs from in close. Plus I think EK is a better passer/distributer than Letang.

I also believe EK would be more akin to driving the net from that left dot to produce some congesting in front instead of Letang

I'm honestly not quite sure what Letang does that is legit "better" thank Karlsson. Maybe throw the body?

EK is a magic maker when it comes to playmaking. Throughout the majority of his career, he just had that knack for making those good passes. Almost Lemieux-like sometimes.

 

[Andy99]

I'm honestly not quite sure what Letang does that is legit "better" thank Karlsson. Maybe throw the body?

EK is a magic maker when it comes to playmaking. Throughout the majority of his career, he just had that knack for making those good passes. Almost Lemieux-like sometimes.

Letang is a better defender and is a very good PKer…

 

[orby]

It still feels super weird to realize Erik Karlsson is gonna be a Penguin for the rest of his, and likely Sid/Geno's careers.

I think they'll probably trade Karlsson with retention toward the end of his deal to get a couple picks or prospects as they're starting the rebuild, assuming the Pens aren't competitive heading into 2026-27.

 

[OnMyOwn]

I'm honestly not quite sure what Letang does that is legit "better" thank Karlsson. Maybe throw the body?

EK is a magic maker when it comes to playmaking. Throughout the majority of his career, he just had that knack for making those good passes. Almost Lemieux-like sometimes.

EK is a class above Letang as far as offense is concerned.

 

[Jesse]

The one thing I completely undersold on Karlsson is how much of a bomb he has up there. Most of his power-play goals aren't finesse, they're him loading one up and just ripping it as hard as he can. I always knew he was a good shooter, I underestimated his velocity.

 

[Gurglesons]

The one thing I completely undersold on Karlsson is how much of a bomb he has up there. Most of his power-play goals aren't finesse, they're him loading one up and just ripping it as hard as he can. I always knew he was a good shooter, I underestimated his velocity.

EK65 highlights getting a million extra views from like 20 penguins fans this summer.

 

[Jesse]

EK65 highlights getting a million extra views from like 20 penguins fans this summer.

I've had a bit of an administrative delay on posting my video analysis of him, but I tried to focus off the beaten path on areas of opportunity within the Penguins he can really help with. Hoping to give yinz some stuff you don't usually catch on YouTube.

(I am not convinced the power-play is one of them.)

 

[tom_servo]

The one thing I completely undersold on Karlsson is how much of a bomb he has up there. Most of his power-play goals aren't finesse, they're him loading one up and just ripping it as hard as he can. I always knew he was a good shooter, I underestimated his velocity.

Same here.

For reference, all 25 of Karlsson's goals last year:

 

[Gurglesons]

I've had a bit of an administrative delay on posting my video analysis of him, but I tried to focus off the beaten path on areas of opportunity within the Penguins he can really help with. Hoping to give yinz some stuff you don't usually catch on YouTube.

(I am not convinced the power-play is one of them.)

Interesting. I’ll wait to see what you provide on the Athletic. But just general overview of why you think he won’t help on the PP?

I love Letang, but I feel like EK65 is a better passer under disruption personally.

 

[SEALBound]

I've had a bit of an administrative delay on posting my video analysis of him, but I tried to focus off the beaten path on areas of opportunity within the Penguins he can really help with. Hoping to give yinz some stuff you don't usually catch on YouTube.

(I am not convinced the power-play is one of them.)

I'll be interested to hear why you don't think EK will help the PP. I'm a "well it won't get worse, so it can only get better" position with it.

My hope is that the likes of Sid, Geno, Letang, and...Raks/Rust (with Jake out), will see the capabilities of EK as a change agent to the entire scheme of how they run the PowerPlay. At the very least, hopefully, EK can instill the notion of "move. your. f***ing. feet. and. quit. standing. still."

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

lol it would be the Penguins luck that the thing EK should so very obviously help with he doesn't actually end up helping with.

 

[Jesse]

Interesting. I’ll wait to see what you provide on the Athletic. But just general overview of why you think he won’t help on the PP?

I love Letang, but I feel like EK65 is a better passer under disruption personally.

Pens structure sucks. Need a new breakout, new way to generate chances. In their current state, they just get bullied up to the blueline and there's nowhere to go. I feel like Karlsson, in that environment, is just sort there to take hard shots as a last resort. He's really good at that, and he often dangles individual forecheckers to create these little 5 on 3 situations as he leaves people in the dust, but if they run out the same old same old this season I think it'll still be limited in capacity.

 

[StIvany4Norris]

I'm honestly not quite sure what Letang does that is legit "better" thank Karlsson. Maybe throw the body?

EK is a magic maker when it comes to playmaking. Throughout the majority of his career, he just had that knack for making those good passes. Almost Lemieux-like sometimes.

Shootout, PK, maybe 5v5 defense

 

[Andy99]

Pens structure sucks. Need a new breakout, new way to generate chances. In their current state, they just get bullied up to the blueline and there's nowhere to go. I feel like Karlsson, in that environment, is just sort there to take hard shots as a last resort. He's really good at that, and he often dangles individual forecheckers to create these little 5 on 3 situations as he leaves people in the dust, but if they run out the same old same old this season I think it'll still be limited in capacity.

Please send an email to Reirden …

 

[Malkinstheman]

Trade looks even better knowing that Petry had essentially no value. All that for a 1st and replacing a 2nd with a 3rd.

 

[Le Magnifique 66]

Trade looks even better knowing that Petry had essentially no value. All that for a 1st and replacing a 2nd with a 3rd.

But we were told Petry was amazing from a few fans and had a good season!!

 

[Gurglesons]

But we were told Petry was amazing from a few fans and had a good season!!

He had a good year for us.

 

[Peat]

My main hope for Karlsson on the power play is teams are a bit scared to try and bully him because they respect his ability to deke his man, and that relieves a bit of the pressure we get on the umbrella.

Whole thing is ugly though.

 

[Le Magnifique 66]

He had a good year for us.

He sure did!!

 

[Zirakzigil]

I'm honestly not quite sure what Letang does that is legit "better" thank Karlsson. Maybe throw the body?

EK is a magic maker when it comes to playmaking. Throughout the majority of his career, he just had that knack for making those good passes. Almost Lemieux-like sometimes.

Take penalties


In all seriousness though, I dont believe Karlssons slightly higher skillset makes up the difference in their salary cap. You can get 2 Letangs for the cost of 1 Karlsson.

 

[SEALBound]

Take penalties


In all seriousness though, I dont believe Karlssons slightly higher skillset makes up the difference in their salary cap. You can get 2 Letangs for the cost of 1 Karlsson.

Can't look at it that way.

Karlsson got his deal at 28 and Letang got his at 35 knowing it was a discount to benefit the team. Karlsson will be 37 when this deal expires. If you compare what Letang did vs what Karlsson will get then, I bet it's close.

That said, there's no Letang out there for $6mil that gives us what Karlsson does.