Erik Karlsson Expected to Waive NMC for 4 Specific NHL Teams

Pittsburgh Penguins general manger Kyle Dubas has already made a significant change in direction for the franchise, dismissing coach Mike Sullivan shortly after the team missed the postseason for the 3rd straight year.

Since then, he's hired Dan Muse as head coach while bringing in former 2X Stanley Cup champion Nick Bonino as an assistant coach.

And while Dubas has said he's not likely to be a major player in free agency, one avenue he could make more changes to the team is via trade.

One player who could soon move on from Pittsburgh is defenseman Erik Karlsson, who just completed his 2nd year with the team but also has 2 more years on his current contract with a massive AAV (average annual value) of $11.6 million.

Additionally, Karlsson also has a No Trade Clause, meaning he can veto any potential trade.

But per a new report, he's willing to waive that No Trade Clause to facilitate a trade to at least 4 specific teams, which include the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Florida Panthers.

In order to make a trade work, the Penguins would likely have to retain a portion of Karlsson's salary, as there likely isn't a single team who would be willing to eat the full remainder of the money he's owed over the next 2 years.

Karlsson had 53 points (11G, 42A) this year with the Penguins; he's also played with the Ottawa Senators and San Jose Sharks.