The Pittsburgh Penguins are actively considering significant roster changes as they navigate the challenges posed by Erik Karlsson’s contract, a key obstacle in potential trades. According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the team is prepared to move many players this offseason, although franchise cornerstone Sidney Crosby remains untouchable. The Penguins’ willingness to entertain offers comes amid a complex financial situation complicated by Karlsson’s $10.5 million annual salary.
Erik Karlsson: Aging Star with a Pricey Contract
Erik Karlsson, a three-time Norris Trophy winner, remains at the center of Pittsburgh’s trade discussions despite entering the latter stages of his career at age 35. With two years left on his contract, Karlsson’s high salary limits the field of potential trade partners. Although no longer in his prime, he retains valuable experience and offensive skills that attract interest from some NHL teams.
NHL insider Chris Johnston emphasized a firm stance by Penguins General Manager Kyle Dubas on the financial terms surrounding Karlsson’s departure.
“They’re not gonna retain half of that [salary] for anybody,”
Johnston noted on the Steve Dangle Podcast. This refusal to absorb a portion of the cap hit significantly narrows the number of teams capable of taking on Karlsson’s full salary, complicating the chances of a trade.
Restricted Trade Market Due to Salary Constraints
Only a handful of NHL clubs—roughly eight—have the salary cap space to absorb Karlsson’s full $10.5 million cap hit. Of these, several are in rebuilding phases, while others focus heavily on securing their existing core players during free agency. Teams like the Detroit Red Wings reportedly prefer to deepen their rosters internally rather than absorb expensive contracts. These factors contribute to a challenging marketplace for Pittsburgh, which must not only find suitors but also negotiate terms that meet its valuation.
Compounding the complexity, Karlsson holds a no-movement clause that requires his permission for any trade, adding another layer of negotiation. For a deal to proceed, alignment is needed from the Penguins, acquiring teams, and Karlsson himself, making a swift trade less probable.
The Allure of Karlsson’s Offensive Skill
Despite the difficulties, Karlsson’s offensive abilities still attract some interest across the NHL. Sportsnet’s Sonny Sachdeva observed,
“[he] is far from the elite game-breaker he was in his prime, but the glimpses he’s shown over the past few years suggest he can still be useful in the right situation, with the right group around him.”
As a high-quality offensive defenseman, Karlsson can still contribute significantly to power play units, a valued asset for teams seeking to boost scoring from the blue line.
Nevertheless, the large financial commitment responsible for his contract impacts the Penguins’ trade expectations. Frank Seravalli of Bleacher Report noted that any salary retention by Pittsburgh could open more opportunities:
“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.”
Speculation has included the Carolina Hurricanes, who need to fill the void left by Brent Burns’s departure, making Karlsson a potentially suitable replacement as a younger and possibly more effective option.
Dubas’s Salary Retention Stance Is a Key Factor
The ultimate feasibility of trading Karlsson hinges heavily on whether Kyle Dubas will soften his position on salary retention. Without any salary being absorbed by the Penguins, only a select few teams remain viable trade partners, reducing leverage and flexibility. Should Dubas reconsider this approach, it could facilitate a deal that benefits both Karlsson and Pittsburgh’s rebuilding efforts. For now, the Penguins find themselves at a crossroads, balancing a desire to refresh the roster with the realities imposed by a burdensome contract.
As the offseason progresses, team management will have to weigh the financial constraints against competitive goals, determining how best to handle Karlsson’s situation. The outcome of these deliberations will likely influence Pittsburgh’s roster construction and salary cap management for the near future.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What does Erik Karlsson chew on?
A. He is a fan of the Arsenal football club, which plays in the English Premier League. During matches, Karlsson uses snus, a type of Swedish chewing tobacco.
Q. What does Erik Karlsson chew?
A. In the past few years, many NHL players have started using snus, a smokeless tobacco from Sweden. Well-known players like Erik Karlsson, Justin Schultz, and William Nylander are among those who incorporate snus into their routines.