Two of the busiest teams on the first day of NHL free agency are now rumored to be the two biggest suitors in the race to acquire Norris Trophy-winning defenseman, Erik Karlsson. The NHL offseason, specifically free agency, began with a bang on Saturday and trade discussions started to surface later in the afternoon after the first UFAs came off the board. Karlsson rumors started to circulate when the signings calmed a bit.
With reports suggesting multiple teams are vying for his services, the Carolina Hurricanes have emerged as a significant player in the pursuit, as have the Penguins where new general manager Kyle Dubas made a dent and put his stamp on the team.
According to Pierre LeBrun and Elliotte Friedman, the Carolina Hurricanes are actively engaged in talks to acquire Erik Karlsson. The Hurricanes have the cap room and a genuine interest in the star defenseman, despite concerns about his defensive abilities. The Pittsburgh Penguins are also reportedly pushing hard, even though Dubas played his interest down when asked. According to @PensInsideScoop, Dubas said: “When there’s a player like that who becomes available, especially with a core group (like this), I think it’s incumbent on me to reach out and see if there’s a fit for us. That’s the way I viewed that entire situation.”
How Eager Are the Sharks to Move Karlsson?
On the San Jose Sharks end, there are questions surrounding their willingness to move Karlsson and how much salary they are willing to retain in any potential deal. General Manager Mike Grier remained tight-lipped about the progress of a Karlsson trade, describing the situation as “really quiet.” This silence adds an element of intrigue to the negotiations, leaving fans wondering what moves the Sharks might make.
Both the Penguins and Hurricanes freely spent money on Saturday and if they continue to do so — the Hurricanes have also been linked to Vladimir Tarasenko — one has to wonder how much money the two teams will have left to pay Karlsson. Carolina added forward Michael Bunting and signed defenseman Dmitry Orlov. While the Orlov signing is reportedly not excluding the Hurricanes from pursuing Karlsson, it seems hard to imagine all of Orlov, Tarasenko, and Karlsson fit into their plans.
This Is A Storyline to Watch
The next 24-48 hours will be crucial in determining the outcome of the Erik Karlsson trade talks. As the Carolina Hurricanes continue to actively pursue Karlsson, fans eagerly await news of any potential deal. How much the Penguins are into trade talk conversations will reveal itself over the next couple of days.
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