Prior to today's wild 6-5 OT loss to the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs at PPG Paints Arena, defenseman Erik Karlsson was spoken to by analyst Kathryn Tappen regarding his future with the team.
Per Tappen, Karlsson has not yet been asked to waive his no-trade clause by general manager Kyle Dubas, even with the Trade Deadline now less than a week away.
Spoke to Erik Karlsson this a.m. He said he hasn't been asked yet by Penguins mgmt to waive no-movement clause- but will take a stance if and when they do. Karlsson has 2 years remaining on his contract.
The Swedish defenseman and former Norris Trophy winner is playing in his 2nd year with the Penguins after being acquired via trade with the San Jose Sharks.
Karlsson has 43 points (8G, 35A) in 62 games played this year.
Erik Karlsson could potentially be traded by the Penguins
Penguins writer Josh Yohe of The Athletic recently disclosed that Dubas could in fact decide to part ways with Karlsson at the Trade Deadline, citing team sources who informed him that a trade could take place.
Is it time to admit that the Erik Karlsson experiment has failed?
From what team sources have recently told me, the answer to the final question is yes.
One team source told me that, if Dubas could, he would trade Karlsson «in a heartbeat.»
An Eastern Conference executive told me, «Karlsson is out there, but Pittsburgh would have to retain (salary).