Analysts Suggest Surprising Western Conference Team as Destination for Erik Karlsson

What the immediate future holds for Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson can't be entirely certain at this point, but in the latest installment of the 'Tip of the Ice-Burgh' podcast, NHL analysts Nick Belsky and Nick Horwat spawned an intriguing hypothesis: a trade sending the veteran defensive man to the Winnipeg Jets.

Now 35, he's not the same man who won two Norris Trophies, yet he continues to have elite-level scoring skill, especially on the man advantage. The Jets, as they look for pop at the back end, can look towards Karlsson as a short-term solution.

This fit does sort of make sense. Karlsson is not new to the Canadian market; he's played for the Senators, so he might be open to returning to Canada.

But some of these players who've had the Canadian experience tend to desire U.S. markets, and Karlsson could be no exception, per Nick Horwat.

One significant trade hurdle, though, is his large $11.5 million cap hit. That being said, since he has only two years remaining on the contract.

The deal is no longer as scary looking for a contender wanting to go big. Karlsson himself, per NHL insider Chris Johnston, has shown a willingness to be traded and has a limited no-movement clause, which may include the Winnipeg side.

Pittsburgh's not panicking to relocate him, but they'd be open to it if the right trade does exist. It'd be a risky proposition for the Jets, but it could be worth it if they're looking for a deep Stanley Cup run.

Nothing occurs overnight, but these are the kind of outside-the-box ideas that can alter the Jets, Penguins, and Karlsson's future course.