Dallas Stars general manager shuts down rumors about trading for three-time Norris winning defenseman
Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill shut down rumors that he was targeting Erik Karlsson in a trade today.
The Pittsburgh Penguins will be a team to keep an eye on as we approach the NHL's trade deadline this season.
General manager Kyle Dubas is reportedly open for business and is hoping for a 'fire sale' as he tries to tear the team down to kickstart a rebuild or retool.
Today, Penguins reporter Josh Yohe revealed that Dubas would trade star defenseman Erik Karlsson, "In a heartbeat."
Yohe revealed that teams around the league were impressed by Karlsson's play at the Four Nations tournament, where he was tied for the team lead in scoring with three points in three games.
"League sources have told me that Karlsson's outstanding play in the 4 Nations Face-Off drew attention. One NHL team executive told me that Karlsson simply might be a bad fit in Penguins coach Mike Sullivan's system and that, if properly insulated by 'a good defense team,' he could probably be effective and intriguing for potential buyers."
That being said, Yohe also revealed that Karlsson is more likely to be traded in the summer, after the salary cap goes up, assuming it takes the big leap we are expecting next July.
Either way though, it does seem like there is a desire to move on from his contract, and there is mutual interest across the NHL.
"An NHL team executive also told me he believes Karlsson is more likely to be dealt this summer, when the salary cap has risen dramatically. At that point, the executive said, teams will be more likely to take on the majority of Karlsson's bulky contract.
One way or another, it seems unlikely that Karlsson will play out his contract in Pittsburgh. The Penguins view a very small list of players as being unmovable. Karlsson is most certainly not one of them."
One way or another, it seems unlikely that Karlsson will play out his contract in Pittsburgh. The Penguins view a very small list of players as being unmovable. Karlsson is most certainly not one of them."
However, one contending team is reportedly not on board with taking on Karlsson's contract.
The Swedish superstar has two years left on his deal after this one, each coming with a 10 million dollar cap hit after the Sharks retained just 1.5 million when they traded him to Pittsburgh.
Dallas Stars reporter Sean Shapiro noted today that Nill 'scoffed' at the idea of trading for Karlsson when asked, saying he can't afford that kind of cap hit, especially with young guys like Wyatt Johnston and Thomas Harley due raises in the coming years.
That being said, Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen is out with an injury and could miss the rest of the regular season, which does have many wondering if Nill will go after another big name to add to his blueline.
If Dubas is willing to retain 50% of Karlsson's contract, would a 5 million dollar three-time Norris winner sound good to the veteran Stars GM?
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