Penguins Expected to Trade Erik Karlsson Amid Performance Issues

The Pittsburgh Penguins are considering trading veteran defenseman Erik Karlsson, with General Manager Kyle Dubas reportedly willing to make the move 'in a heartbeat.' Despite showing flashes of brilliance during his time with Team Sweden at the 4 Nations Face-Off, Karlsson's fit with the Penguins has been inconsistent, and the team is likely to miss the playoffs for the third year in a row. His hefty $10 million cap hit, along with a full no-move clause, complicates any potential trade. Analysts suggest that while a trade before the March 7 deadline is unlikely, the situation could change in the offseason as the NHL salary cap is projected to increase significantly. Teams are interested, but the Penguins would need to retain part of Karlsson's salary to facilitate a deal. Overall, it seems the Penguins' experiment with Karlsson may soon come to an end as they reassess their roster for a potential rebuild.