Latest news with #Karlsson
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
NHL trade rumor: Carolina Hurricanes eye Erik Karlsson to fuel Stanley Cup push in NHL 2025-26 season
NHL- Erik Karlsson (Credit: Getty Images) The Carolina Hurricanes are not content with just making deep playoff runs; they aspire to win the Stanley Cup. After another Eastern Conference Finals exit, the front office is reportedly exploring a major addition to finally push them over the edge. NHL insider Frank Seravalli has linked Carolina to Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson, suggesting the Hurricanes may have 'spent time investigating' a deal. Top 5 Erik Karlsson Career Plays | NHL Countdown Erik Karlsson's offensive firepower remains elite despite his age At 35, Erik Karlsson may not be the all-situations defenseman he once was, but his offensive skill remains elite. The three-time Norris Trophy winner (2012, 2015, 2023) has tallied 22 goals and 109 points over the past two seasons. Even on a middling Pittsburgh Penguins team, he's shown he can still move the puck and drive offense at a high level. Erik Karlsson: Team Photo Day | Pittsburgh Penguins Adding Karlsson could reshape the defensive structure in Carolina Adding Karlsson wouldn't come without complications. His current cap hit stands at $11.5 million through 2028, a figure too large for Carolina to absorb outright. Seravalli noted that teams would only bite if the number dropped to the $7 million–$7.5 million range, meaning the Penguins would need to retain salary or involve a third party. Salary cap math is the only real obstacle for a potential blockbuster The biggest hurdle in a Karlsson trade is financial. The Hurricanes are tight on cap space and don't have any obvious expiring contracts on the blue line. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cardiologists Confirm: 60-Year-Old Sheds Fat With 4 Ingredients The Healthy Way Learn More Undo While the front office has room to maneuver, it would take creative accounting to land a player with Karlsson's salary, no matter how badly they want a Cup. Still, desperation can drive bold moves. The Florida Panthers have set the standard after back-to-back Stanley Cup titles and retaining key free agents this summer. If Carolina believes Karlsson is the difference-maker, they need to match that level, expect an aggressive push, especially if the Penguins are willing to meet halfway on salary. Karlsson may not be a perfect fit, but in the pursuit of a championship, perfection can be a negotiable goal. Also Read: Edmonton Oilers linked to $27m veteran Jonathan Marchessault, pressure mounts as Oilers eye scoring boost for NHL 2025-26 season Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
6 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Erik Karlsson trade rumors: A return to Ottawa Senators on the cards for the $92 million defenseman?
Erik Karlsson trade rumors: A return to Ottawa Senators on the cards for the $92 million defenseman? (Image Via Twitter) As the Pittsburgh Penguins found themselves missing the playoffs yet again, all eyes turned to the aging defenseman Erik Karlsson and where his future might lie. Karlsson still has two years left on a $92 million contract and has earned himself the urgency to chase a Stanley Cup, so he may reach the end of his tenure in Pittsburgh. Reports indicate he is growing restless; a storyline could emerge around a potential return to Ottawa, the team where his NHL legacy began, which could alter the outlook for both franchises. Erik Karlsson's time with the Pittsburgh Penguins has failed to deliver — MrPerfectSonic (@MrPerfectSonic) Arriving in the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2023 from the San Jose Sharks, the hopes were sky-high for Erik Karlsson. The Penguins wanted his offensive skills to breathe new life into an aging core of players centered on Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Despite his contribution to the cause of the game, three straight seasons of playing 82 games and scoring well over 70 points, the team has seen its fortunes tumble for two years in a row, missing out on qualification for the postseason. Financially, the investment didn't pan out either. Sharks are retaining $1.5 million a year, while the Pittsburgh Penguins are carrying a $10-million cap hit that feels heavy right now due to not making any postseason appearances. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Brain tumor has left my son feeling miserable; please help! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo Karlsson's -3 rating and unmitigated defensive lapses have sown many seeds of doubt about his long-term fit. The Ottawa Senators appear as a potential landing zone Too Many Games | The Chris Johnston Show A reunion with the Ottawa Senators is being talked about, with NHL insider Chris Johnston saying it would be "a cool story" if Karlsson returns. The Senators took Karlsson 15th overall back in 2008 and are trending the right way after ending an eight-year playoff drought. Familiarity with the city and the organization would surely ease his transition there, while his offensive talent would do wonders for Ottawa's five-on-five metrics, which were near the bottom last season. The Senators, needing a right-shot defenseman and with roughly $4 million in cap space but would need to make a few financial arrangements - some salary-flipping, or possibly negotiating for retained salary from Pittsburgh - to get this reunion done. Canadian teams in the mix for Erik Karlsson The Senators aren't the only Canadian team tracking Karlsson. The Toronto Maple Leafs are said to be investigating options for strengthening their blueline and, while at it, compensating for lost offensive jobs. On the other hand, the Oilers may look at Karlsson as someone who can add depth to the back end, but would have some difficulty convincing Darnell Nurse to waive his no-movement clause. Karlsson appeared to be merely mildly underperforming, but he has had durability concerns in recent years, and his defensive limitations which is the one suitor has to pay attention to. Also Read: 2025‑26 NHL schedule revealed: Mitch Marner, Nikolaj Ehlers and Stanley Cup rematches highlight season Erik Karlsson's future in Pittsburgh feels more and more distant, and whether pursued by an Ottawa return or perhaps an alternative ticket to another Canadian market, it feels more and more plausible. For his window to win, there is very little time left, and this moving decision might just be the one that helps seal the fate of one of the most entertaining and electrifying defensemen of this era. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Trade Idea Flips Maple Leafs Veteran for Penguins' Erik Karlsson
Trade Idea Flips Maple Leafs Veteran for Penguins' Erik Karlsson originally appeared on Athlon Sports. With Erik Karlsson's future with the Pittsburgh Penguins uncertain, new possible landing spots have started to emerge during the past few days. Advertisement In a move that would send Karlsson back to Canada, where he started his career as a member of the Ottawa Senators, TSN's Travis Yost proposed the Toronto Maple Leafs as a potential destination. Yost floated the idea of the Maple Leafs trading for the 35-year-old Penguins defenseman, potentially as a short-term replacement for fellow blueliner Morgan Rielly. While Rielly trade speculation seems a bit far-fetched for now, Yost noted that the Leafs' restructuring of its defense has lowered the unit's production on offense, something that could be fixed by adding Karlsson. "Why Toronto?" Yost wrote. "The team's defensive improvements have come at the cost of some offensive pop. Toronto saw slippage in its power-play production last season." Advertisement "Morgan Rielly has shown to be a capable quarterback on the man advantage, but speculation about his long-term status with the Maple Leafs, and coupled with $5 million in cap space and a playoff-calibre core still in tow," Yost added, "you wonder if Brad Treliving can find a fit for Karlsson in Toronto if the Penguins are picking up a big piece of his salary." Karlsson's $11.5 million cap hit remains a hurdle for a Maple Leafs franchise that only has $5.3 million in current cap space. If Toronto sends Rielly's $7.5 million cap hit the other way, however, the numbers would work. "If Toronto were to consider moving on from Rielly," Yost wrote, "Karlsson would be one of those players who could short-term replace his offensive contributions." Advertisement Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) at the 4 Nations Face-Off with Team Kirouac-Imagn Images Pittsburgh isn't under pressure to move Karlsson, but NHL insider Chris Johnston reported that the player is open to being traded. "[Karlsson] is willing to be moved," Johnston said. "And so I think that helps, because obviously there's a no-movement clause, but it's only to a few places. "And the flip side of this, I think, Pittsburgh rightly views him as an asset — more of an asset the closer [he gets to] the end of his deal, right? He's down to two years on that contract, and so the contract itself becomes less of a problem." Related: Erik Karlsson-Maple Leafs Link 'More Than Just Hearsay,' Claims NHL Insider Related: Penguins Expected to Make Multiple Trades Before Deadline: Report This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Maple Leafs Predicted to Land 7-Time All-Star
Maple Leafs Predicted to Land 7-Time All-Star originally appeared on Athlon Sports. As the Toronto Maple Leafs continue their offseason, one of the main goals is to improve the defensive unit. Toronto wants to truly contend for a Stanley Cup next season, and one of the ways to make that happen is to upgrade the blueline. Advertisement Defense let the Maple Leafs down in the postseason this year, with the players not being able to help generate enough offense. But the front office has been active in trying to search for some upgrades across the NHL. One name that could be interesting for the Maple Leafs is veteran Erik Karlsson of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Pittsburgh has been rumored to be dangling Karlsson in different trade talks, and now he is being linked to Toronto. NHL writer James Murphy of linked the two sides together. 'There's more than just hearsay when it comes to the Leafs and Erik Karlsson right now,' a league source told Murphy. Advertisement 'There's probably going to be salary retained, but the thought that there's some kind of bad blood between Dubas and the Leafs still that would prevent something like this is crazy. This is a business, and if there's enough interest from both teams and they figure out the cap hit and money, then that's all that matters," Murphy wrote. Karlsson could get another chance to go after a title with the Maple Leafs, while Pittsburgh could net some future assets. The Maple Leafs do make sense as a landing spot for Karlsson, especially given where he is in his career. The veteran likely doesn't have many years left to play, so making the most of his time with a contending team makes sense. Last season with the Penguins, Karlsson put up 11 goals and 42 assists. Karlsson could help improve the Maple Leafs' defense on both sides of the ice. This could be a solid move for Toronto to consider, and there seems to be some smoke around it. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
New Update on Erik Karlsson's Mindset Will Catch Penguins Attention
New Update on Erik Karlsson's Mindset Will Catch Penguins Attention originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Erik Karlsson's time with the Pittsburgh Penguins might be approaching a conclusion, but that will only happen under the right circumstances. Advertisement According to Chris Johnston, speaking on Thursday's episode of "The Chris Johnston Show," the 35-year-old defenseman is open to being traded. That said, Karlsson holds a full no-movement clause as part of his eight-year, $92 million contract, so he will have the final say on any move. Johnston, however, reported that Karlsson is 'willing to be moved,' adding that Pittsburgh still considers him an asset that could fetch a solid return in the trade market. "(Karlsson) is willing to be moved," Johnston said. "And so I think that helps, because obviously there's a no-movement clause, but it's only to a few places. "And the flip side of this, I think, Pittsburgh rightly views him as an asset—more of an asset the closer (he gets to) the end of his deal, right? He's down to two years on that contract, and so the contract itself becomes less of a problem." Advertisement With just two years left on his $92 million deal, the Penguins believe the contract is becoming more tradeable, especially in a rising cap environment, as Johnston explained. 'Pittsburgh does have an ability to eat even more money on it than San Jose already (did),' Johnston said. 'It becomes a pretty movable object. It just might not be this summer." Karlsson played all 164 regular-season games over the last two years, producing 109 total points but missing the playoffs on back-to-back seasons in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) skates during Frid-USA TODAY Sports Johnston emphasized that Pittsburgh won't give Karlsson away for nothing but acknowledged that the blueliner still has enough offensive upside to drive value in the right system. The insider also believes Karlsson will grow tired of the Pittsburgh losing situation, thus facilitating a move. Advertisement 'He was in San Jose when that team went from contender to not,' Johnston said. 'He's arrived in Pittsburgh as they're headed in the wrong direction. "I have to think he's going to get antsy at a certain point here and want to (move). As much as I think Pittsburgh has been a great fit for his family, and he likes that aspect of living there, he's only got so much time in terms of trying to compete for a Stanley Cup." Related: Erik Karlsson-Maple Leafs Link 'More Than Just Hearsay,' Claims NHL Insider Related: Sidney Crosby-to-Canadiens Speculation Grows Because of ESPN Insider This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
