JUST IN: Trade Rumor Suggests Penguins Could Send $92M Star Defenseman to Division Rival…
The Pittsburgh Penguins may be heading into a rebuilding phase, and one proposed trade suggests they could move their star defenseman, Erik Karlsson, to a division rival.
Using the trade simulation tool on PuckPedia called PuckGM, a user floated a deal that would send Karlsson to the Carolina Hurricanes. The proposed trade breaks down as follows:
To the Penguins:
Jesperi Kotkaniemi
2025 first-round pick
2026 third-round pick (from Dallas)
To the Hurricanes:
Erik Karlsson
This hypothetical trade would be a major shakeup, with both franchises exchanging problematic contracts. Carolina, flush with draft assets after the Mikko Rantanen trade, could afford to give up a couple of picks to land an elite defenseman.
Pittsburgh would get two valuable draft picks along with Kotkaniemi, a middle-six forward entering the fourth season of his eight-year, \$38.56 million contract. Kotkaniemi, who was a healthy scratch during the playoffs, appears to be a trade candidate for Carolina. He notched 12 goals and 22 assists over 78 games last season and could potentially play a developmental role with Pittsburgh’s younger players.
Karlsson, a high-impact offensive defenseman, would bring much-needed scoring and playmaking to Carolina’s blue line. The three-time Norris Trophy winner has two years left on his eight-year, \$92 million deal and posted 11 goals and 42 assists in 82 games last season. His presence would be a boost to Carolina’s power play and could help push them past their recent postseason shortcomings.
Penguins May Be Entering Seller Mode
With franchise staples like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang still on the roster, the Penguins have tried to stay competitive. However, after missing the playoffs for the third consecutive year, significant roster changes may be on the horizon.
NHL insider Pierre LeBrun recently revealed on TSN 1050 that the Penguins are the league’s only clear seller this offseason.
“Most of the teams at the bottom are trying to improve, but the Penguins are the one club clearly trying to sell,” said LeBrun.
Given that, Karlsson appears to be a likely trade candidate. Though speculation around the potential departures of Malkin, Letang, or even Crosby exists, Crosby has expressed a strong desire to remain with the franchise.
Pittsburgh ended their season with a disappointing 34-36-12 record.
Insider: Karlsson on the Market
As the Penguins prepare for a retool or full rebuild, NHL insider Frank Seravalli has confirmed that Karlsson is on the trade block.
On his offseason trade board for *Daily Faceoff*, Seravalli ranked Karlsson 13th among the most likely trade targets.
“Sources around the league expect Karlsson’s name to surface in trade discussions as GM Kyle Dubas begins reshaping the team,” Seravalli wrote. “Karlsson had a better second season in Pittsburgh, though his \$10 million cap hit will be a hurdle. Still, a team looking for a dynamic power play quarterback could be intrigued. He looked rejuvenated during the 4 Nations Face-Off.”
Karlsson is not only a three-time Norris Trophy winner but also a seven-time NHL All-Star, making him one of the league’s most accomplished defensemen.
