Penguins Miss Out on Potential Star Due to Controversial Erik Karlsson Trade
The Erik Karlsson trade made sense for the Penguins at the time, but now they're regretting it in a big way as Cole Eiserman is shaping up to be a star in the NHL.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for three straight seasons, but after the first one, they made a massive deal in order to turn around the trajectory of the franchise.
In doing so, they sent a 2024 first-round pick to the San Jose Sharks among other assets for three-time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson, and while many applauded the deal at the time, it hasn't come close to living up to expectations as Karlsson has taken a step back on both ends of the ice.
Penguins miss out on a major star with their first-round pick
In the 2024 NHL Draft, the Sharks used the Penguins first-round pick on talented young defenseman Sam Dickinson, but it was a pick later in the first-round pick that may make them regret giving up that selection to land Karlsson.
In a recent video, New York Islanders prospect Cole Eiserman was showing off his talent with Bauer Hockey, and given how high the expectations are in New York, it's safe to say that Pittsburgh will regret watching a talented young player thrive for a division rival.
It's unclear exactly how good Eiserman will be in the NHL, but given the Penguins need for young talent, using that second first-round pick in hindsight could have been incredibly useful for them at the time, and while the Karlsson risk was one worth taking, seeing a young star thrive for a division rival is going to hurt for a long time to come.
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