Penguins Unwilling to Retain Salary on Karlsson

The Pittsburgh Penguins are open for business. David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period visited “Hello Hockey” this week to discuss Pittsburgh’s willingness to trade. “They’re selling everybody, almost,” Pagnotta said. “No Crosby’s not getting traded; they’re willing to sell key players, but it’s a high price”

One of the names on the top of their trade block is three-time Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Erik Karlsson. Karlsson has two years left on his contract, making $10.5M per season. He’s been the subject of a variety of trade pitches and proposals over the last few weeks due to his offensive output. At 35 years of age, Karlsson isn’t the Norris-winner he once was — but he’s still got some gas left in the tank.

Having said that, it doesn’t seem that general manager Kyle Dubas is going to budge with a Karlsson trade. NHL insider Chris Johnston mentioned on the “Steve Dangle Podcast” that the Penguins have one major stipulation with a Karlsson trade. “They’re not gonna retain half of that [salary] for anybody,” Johnston said.

Karlsson Trade Options Are Limited

This move hamstrings the Penguins’ potential to make a trade. Only eight teams in the NHL can take on Karlsson’s full salary. Three of those eight teams are in the midst of a rebuild. Two need to re-sign their core. Others, like the Detroit Red Wings, could find cheaper help within the organization.

With that said, a lot has to go right to finalize a Karlsson trade. First, the Penguins have to find a team that wants to trade Karlsson. Once they do, they have to determine the assets needed to make the trade possible. Finally, Karlsson himself has to waive his no movement clause.

Ultimately, the wide variety of factors in play makes a Karlsson trade unrealistic right now. Having said that, teams are always in need of offensive help. There’s a great chance a general manager pulls the trigger if the right offer manifests itself.

What Karlsson Brings to the Table

Sonny Sachdeva of Sportsnet praised Karlsson’s offensive output. “[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.”

Karlsson is a premier offensive defenseman. Despite his injury history, he’s more than capable of quarterbacking a power play unit. Still, it’s hard to imagine a team taking on $10.5M per year for two seasons without a substantial return.

Frank Seravalli of Bleacher Report believes a small salary retention could make a big difference for the Penguins. “If they could get him down to that $7-7.5M range for two more seasons, I think there’s a team that would certainly take a flyer. I think Carolina was one of those teams that spent time investigating.”

The Carolina Hurricanes recently lost Brent Burns to the Colorado Avalanche. Karlsson is a younger, more effective replacement for what Burns brought to the ice. This sort of move could be mutually beneficial for both parties. Ultimately, however, it will all depend on whether or not Dubas budges on salary retention.