Insider Reveals Pittsburgh Penguins Caught in a Complicated Mess with Erik Karlsson Trade
Photo credit: NHL Trade Rumors
Pittsburgh Penguins analyst Josh Yohe of The Athletic is revealing that the Penguins are caught in a considerable mess with defenseman Erik Karlsson and his trade situation.
The Pittsburgh Penguins continue to try and reportedly trade former Norris Trophy winning defenseman Erik Karlsson, but given his AAV (average annual value) of $11.5 million for another 2 years, it's understandably been difficult for GM Kyle Dubas to find a trade partner.
Per a new report from The Athletic's Josh Yohe, the Penguins are receiving interest from other NHL teams and that they're willing to retain some salary on what remains of his contract to help facilitate a deal.
There is interest in Erik Karlsson from opposing teams, but the Penguins don't want to give him away for nothing.
For the right price, I believe he will be traded. The Penguins are willing to retain some of his salary. They realize he's not part of the future in Pittsburgh and that the experiment hasn't worked.
However, trading him remains complicated. I don't see him playing out the final two years of his contract in Pittsburgh. Dubas would like to get a good return for the future Hall of Famer, whose value around the NHL varies widely based on whom you ask.
For the right price, I believe he will be traded. The Penguins are willing to retain some of his salary. They realize he's not part of the future in Pittsburgh and that the experiment hasn't worked.
However, trading him remains complicated. I don't see him playing out the final two years of his contract in Pittsburgh. Dubas would like to get a good return for the future Hall of Famer, whose value around the NHL varies widely based on whom you ask.
The Penguins also aren't expected to realistically compete for a postseason spot this year, and Karlsson also wants to start winning.
The Penguins' acquisition of Erik Karlsson was questioned from the start
There weren't many who supported Pittsburgh's acquisition of Karlsson 2 summers ago, considering his age and his salary, especially being added to a team with aging starts like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang.
As Yohe pointed out, the Karlsson experiment in Pittsburgh just hasn't worked.
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