Detroit Red Wings
Penguins Insider Suggests Dubas Could Soon Strike on Erik Karlsson Trade
Erik Karlsson has turned back the clock this season—could Kyle Dubas strike while his value is high?
After a surprisingly strong start to the 2025–26 season, Erik Karlsson and the Pittsburgh Penguins appear poised to finish right around where they have for the past three years: not good enough to make the playoffs, but not bad enough to bottom out and secure a top-five draft pick.
There might not be a worse place to be in sports, and soon, general manager Kyle Dubas could find himself needing to take matters into his own hands by selling even more aggressively than he has in recent years.
Karlsson, who is enjoying his best season as a Penguin so far, has surfaced in trade rumors throughout his time in Pittsburgh, though nothing has ever come close to fruition. However, now that the team has crashed back down to earth, reporter Dan Kingerski is wondering if Dubas could elect to move the star defenseman sooner rather than later—especially while his value is this high.
“Carolina was in hot pursuit of Erik Karlsson before Penguins GM Kyle Dubas snared him in August 2023. Karlsson has been quite good this season, even as public frustrations earnestly built over a mediocre first couple of seasons linger… It would not be a shocker for Dubas to strike while the Karlsson iron is hot, just as he did in the Tristan Jarry to Edmonton trade two weeks ago,”
The 35-year-old Karlsson is in year seven of the eight-year, $92 million contract extension he signed with the San Jose Sharks back in 2019. He’s tallied 26 points (three goals, 23 assists) in 36 games played this season, pacing for 59 points, which would be his most productive campaign as a Penguin.
Who Else Could Target Erik Karlsson?
Carolina makes sense as a landing spot for Karlsson, but the list of potential suitors certainly doesn’t end there. His rejuvenated play as we reach the tail-end of that big contract should spark interest from teams around the league, especially if Dubas is willing to eat some salary to secure a better return.
The Detroit Red Wings have been linked to the three-time Norris Trophy winner before and could still use an offensive boost to their blue line, as have the Toronto Maple Leafs, who might be willing to get creative thanks to their sluggish start to the season. Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers, Dallas Stars, and Vegas Golden Knights are always tight against the cap but often find ways to make deals work. Not to mention, a reunion in Ottawa with the Senators can seemingly never be ruled out.
Any potential deal will require flexibility from both sides, but if Pittsburgh continues to struggle and slide in the standings, expect Karlsson — along with other veteran Penguins — to dominate trade discussions leading up to the March 6 deadline.
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