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Analysts Urge Metro Team Not to Trade for Erik Karlsson
NHL analyst Remy Mastey has declared that the Pittsburgh Penguins should not trade defenseman Erik Karlsson to the Carolina Hurricanes.
Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas has been trying unsuccessfully to find a trade partner for veteran defenseman Erik Karlsson for weeks now, but so far has been unsuccessful.
He's been linked to multiple teams, including a key divisional foe in the Carolina Hurricanes, but one analyst is urging Carolina not to acquire him.
Karlsson's Decline and the Hurricanes' Defensive Identity
NHL analyst Remy Mastey of The Hockey News is urging Carolina not to consider a Karlsson trade, not only because of his age but because his playing style doesn't mesh with the defensive mindset of Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour.
Karlsson is on the wrong side of 30 and appears to be declining by the year, which is a concerning sign.
From a fit perspective, Karlsson's game doesn't really match Rod Brind'Amour hard-nosed defensive structure that the Hurricanes have been so known for.
On another note, Karlsson still has another two years on his contract at a cap hit of $11.5 million, so in order to acquire Karlsson, the Hurricanes would have to eat up a large chunk of his contract.
From a fit perspective, Karlsson's game doesn't really match Rod Brind'Amour hard-nosed defensive structure that the Hurricanes have been so known for.
On another note, Karlsson still has another two years on his contract at a cap hit of $11.5 million, so in order to acquire Karlsson, the Hurricanes would have to eat up a large chunk of his contract.
Despite winning the Norris Trophy as the NHL's best defenseman with the Sharks in 2023, Karlsson has been known throughout his career as anything but a defense-first blueliner.
Not only that but his skills have begun to erode as he advances in age.
Contract, Cap Hit, and Carolina's Long-Term Timeline
Karlsson still has 2 years with an AAV (average annual value) of $11.5 million left on his contract.
The Penguins would need to eat a good portion of that number in order to facilitate any trade, but their mindset is to be in contention for the long-run, and Karlsson wouldn't fit into that timeline.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 1 | 22 ANSWERS Analysts Urge Metro Team Not to Trade for Erik Karlsson Would it be a mistake for the Penguins to trade Erik Karlsson? | ||
| Yes | 4 | 18.2 % |
| No | 18 | 81.8 % |
| List of polls | ||