Veteran defenseman Erik Karlsson remains at the center of trade rumors during the NHL offseason, as speculation grows about his future with the Pittsburgh Penguins. At 35 years old, Sidney Crosby’s teammate is facing multiple possibilities in the near term.
Karlsson still has two seasons remaining on the eight-year, $92 million contract he signed with the Penguins, which carries an $11.5 million cap hit and a full no-move clause. Under those conditions, a departure might seem unlikely—but recent developments suggest otherwise.
The Penguins’ three consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance have created a sense of frustration, one that Karlsson may be feeling as well. The veteran defenseman could be in a position to demand better results from the organization, provided that staying in Pittsburgh remains a realistic option.
Will Karlsson stay with the Penguins?
NHL insider Frank Seravalli recently provided a key update on Karlsson’s future. “If they could get him down to that $7–7.5 million range for two more seasons, I think there’s a team that would certainly take a flyer; I think Carolina (Hurricanes) was one of those teams that spent time investigating,” he said via Bleacher Report.
Erik Karlsson of the Penguins
General manager Kyle Dubas has made it clear that Pittsburgh won’t give him away or treat him as a simple salary dump. However, Carolina could now get involved more seriously, slightly increasing the pressure during what has already been a challenging offseason for the Pens.
see also
NHL News: Penguins receive final update on superstar Sidney Crosby’s plans
Which other teams could be interested in Karlsson?
In addition to the strong interest reportedly shown by the Hurricanes, several other franchises have been linked to the Swedish defenseman, including Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Ducks, Utah Mammoth, and Vegas Golden Knights, according to multiple reports.
