It’s not often that a defenseman is traded the summer after a Norris Trophy-winning, 101-point season, but that’s exactly what might happen with Erik Karlsson and the San Jose Sharks. With San Jose looking to rebuild and Karlsson’s historic regular season unable to lift the team out of the NHL’s basement, this summer could bring the second trade of Karlsson’s career. The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported on TSN’s Insider Trading program that Karlsson’s representatives and the Sharks had a meeting last week about the player’s future, and the outcome of the meeting was a unified focus between team and player to “try and get a trade done” for next season.
Karlsson, 33, is in possession of a full no-movement clause in his contract meaning he would have final control over any destination. The largest barrier to any potential move isn’t expected to be that clause, though. Instead, it’s likely to be Karlsson’s $11.5MM cap hit, and whether interested teams will be willing to take on the full weight of that hit. (or whether the Sharks will need to retain a portion of the contract) In any case, it appears the Sharks and Karlsson’s camp share a motivation to find a trade outcome before the start of next season.
Some other notes about trade rumors from across the NHL:
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- Also on Insider Trading, TSN’s Chris Johnston reports that the Senators, by filing for arbitration with restricted free agent forward Alex DeBrincat, have “set the window for when they have to trade” the player. Johnston believes the Senators will make a push to get a DeBrincat trade finalized “by the draft this month” if possible. One might remember that DeBrincat was traded to Ottawa on draft day last year, and now based on Johnston’s report it seems he could get dealt on one of hockey’s most significant days once again, if not sooner.
- Like DeBrincat, Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce has the chance to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. On Insider Trading, LeBrun reported that while contract talks on an extension are continuing between Pesce and Carolina, the Hurricanes are “pretty resolute” that they’ll be trading him this summer if they can’t secure his signature on a new deal. LeBrun also adds that the Buffalo Sabres have already inquired about the possibility of trading for Pesce, potentially to be Owen Power’s long-term partner. It’s likely that the widely-respected 28-year-old blueliner would garner significant trade interest if put on the market. He just finished a year where he made a major impact on both ends of the ice, setting a career-high of 30 points while also serving as a leading penalty killer for a Carolina shorthanded unit that consistently ranks among the best in the NHL.
Karlsson for Debrincat get it done
shouldn’t they focus on getting a goalie?
They can call Treliving and ask about Murray
likely would rather call Bill to talk about their Matt Murray
*Nill
Habs trade pick 5 and Brendon Gallagher
Sharks trade pick 4 Erik karlsson
Ripoff for the Sharks.
I made this jokingly to see what ppl would say. Sharks are looking to dump is salary more then a return there is no way they get a good return for no held money. Even my proposed deal wont happen either for the same karlsson salary reasons.
Lots of Sharks news lately, you love to see it.
As a Sharks fan, I would love to keep Karlsson, but the team needs a rebuild. To me, a fair return looks like:
– top 10 pick in the draft
– 2-3 roster players
– 1-2 prospects
And I would expect a better return if salary is retained.
This will be the make or break for Greir. If he trades Karlsson for like the 22nd pick and an expiring RFA, then that would be an awful return for a Norris caliber player.
It’s going to be fascinating to see whatever deal comes together for him. I don’t really know what to expect for the Sharks return. At face value, that package would seem appropriate for a player of his talent. But that contract is likely going to age pretty poorly. I don’t know how much that will ding his value in any deal this offseason.
That is an insane expected return.
agree that’s way too much unless She is sending another piece. 1 1st, prospect and a roster player on an expiring deal for salary purposes is likely the best they are getting without retaining at least 33%
You’re dreaming I’m afraid.
At the deadline maybe but not in the offseason. It’ll be a short salary dump out e.g. 2 years signed at 5-6 mill who is trash for starters. Then you will have some salary retention for EK65 at approx 2mill. From there you would be looking at a 1st rounder, a 2nd rounder and a second pairing defenseman to replace EK65. Swap the 2nd for a B+ prospect who might develop into a middle 6 forward.
There is no way they are getting back value like Norris + Stutzle, DW shot his shot and missed on EK65 and all the fans paid the original price plus will pay the price watching Norris and Stutzle kicking butt for OTT for the next 10 years while we suck.
This is the most homer take I’ve ever seen.
A top 10 pick, 2 roster players, and a prospect or two for an 11.5 single player past his prime after a career year?
This kid plays NHL 2014 still
As others have commented, that is a delusional expected return for Karlsson. The Sharks would probably have to retain 100% of his salary to get even half of what you proposed.
Your dreaming if you think that’s what the sharks will get.
Yea, no chance a 33 year old defensemen with that contract pulls that return. DeBrincat, a 2 time 40 goal scorer who was entering his prime at 24 and had cost effective team control went for a 1st, a 2nd and a future 3rd. Karlsson will get you a 1st, maybe a 2nd and either cheap vet or young player an organization has soured on a bit as a defensive replacement. I wouldn’t expect much more than that, but you never know, I guess.
No chance anyone pays Karlsson’s entire contract.
The Sharks should be happy with a 1st & prospect(s) or player(s). My thoughts are they will either have to retain half & then take back 2 players making around $5+mil per or retain around 1/3 & take back a a player making around $5+mil per & then receive draft picks back that are 2nds & lower. The acquiring team of Erik Karlsson is taking on the biggest unknown over the next 4 seasons.
maybe but it’s still a guy who won the Norris. I agree a 1st, prospect and player likely is the package but don’t think they need to retain half and take back $5+Mil unless they want an A prospect with a 1st and maybe even another pick.
karlssons contract is big but he’s not a giveaway. he still can play at an elite level clearly.
Karlsson was hurt the previous 2 seasons so 1 great season out of 3 with 4 years at $11.5mil per left will still bog down the return.
I agree the return wouldn’t be the same as if he played this way 2-3 yrs I’m a row or prime EK. just saying he’s not a cap dump like some treat him out to be.
Grier would be smart to maximize the return by retaining as much cap hit as possible. the Sharks are at least 2-4 years away from serious contention so the lost cap space but added futures would make sense if ownership approves
Have to remember he’s was Also a minus 26, after scoring those 101 pts.
On a horrible team, even that team would not put him on the ice for more then :10 a game while short handed!
That is not even a no1 caliber defenseman!
I’d never give a vote for top defensemen to a guy his own team doesn’t trust defensively!!
Have to remember he’s was Also a minus 26, after scoring those 101 pts.
On a horrible team, even that team would not put him on the ice for more then :10 a game while short handed!
That is not even a no1 caliber defensemen!
I’d never give a vote for top defensemen to a guy his own team doesn’t trust defensively!!
No one wants to talk about how Pesce would be a perfect partner for Power, I guess.
Sabres should get that done.
Peace would look great on the Sabres and they have the pieces to make a deal happen
Detroit needs a good RD like Pesce, too! You can have Chiarot with $1M retained (3 more years) and a 3rd for him. PLEASE!
Chiarot was a major overpay. Feel like this guy is still getting overpaid for the series he had with mtl vs tor
I heard rumors GMKA is interested but Carolina will have to make him available (if a contract extension cannot be done).
Yes, we will take Alex Tuch in return please.
I think a team like Mini should be in on EK. losing Dumba and Klingberg potentially, could move a short term contract or two to make the dollars work this year if SJ retains 33% and has a contending window in the range of that contract
Min is really tight to the cap though, sj would have to take salary back when I think sj would want more of a prospect package. Ek would fit good in minny tho
but that’s the point. SJ taking salary back (and/or retaining) could result in a better package. Say the price for EK is a 1St, and B prospect. if they took back a 2-4 million dollar salary and retained 50%, it’s possible they could net a 2nd 1st or at least an A prospect.
SJ is not lacking cap space (especially if they move 6 million of EKs contract
That’s a good point. Minny has a few good prospects to offer sj also. Be interesting to see how it plays out
Karl’s son is T going anywhere. The only teams that are going to be interested in him would be those that are close to the Cup, but his salary will prevent such a deal from happening due to those teams probably being close to cap themselves. SJ would be best served if they could just relieve themselves of his salary and not expect much in return – that would be an achievement in itself. His great year won’t overcome the next 4 years/46M and age with injury history. Too big of a risk.