Elliotte Friedman Drops Bombshell on Erik Karlsson Trade Talks

For quite some time now, Pittsburgh Penguins fans have been eagerly awaiting talks of an Erik Karlsson trade, and with the salary cap set to rise, that possibility becomes all the more real over this off-season.

Now, speculation is set to heat up even more after recent comments from Elliotte Friedman on his 32 Thoughts podcast, especially with the wrinkle in his contract that makes him much, much cheaper.

The bonus that Friedman refers too is paid on July 1st, and following that date, he would cost just $4.5 million to an acquiring team, and given all of his experience and the offensive talent that still remains, he would be a very attractive piece for a contending team.

In 2024/25, Karlsson tallied a solid 11 goals and 53 points in all 82 games played, and while he's certainly ageing (35 by the time the 2025/26 campaign begins), if he only costs a mid-round draft pick to acquire, it would certainly make sense to a contending team like Montreal, Ottawa, Edmonton or others.

For now, all signs are pointing towards GM Kyle Dubas moving off Karlsson this summer, and while there's a chance he sticks around and sees out his career in Pittsburgh, he's looking to finally win the Cup, so don't be shocked if he pushes to make a deal happen too.