SAN JOSE – The San Jose Sharks and representatives for defenseman Erik Karlsson are reportedly on the same page in terms of trying to move the two-time Norris Trophy winner to more of a championship-contending team.of TSN and The Athletic, and agreed that a trade could be in order with San Jose in an apparent rebuilding state under general manager Mike Grier.Karlsson has repeatedly said he wants to win, having now spent four straight playoff-less seasons with the Sharks.
“It will be tough because he’s one of the greater offensive in NHL and … it will be hard,” Hertl said. “You don’t know if he will get traded. But it’s tough to say anything right now because you don’t know what will happen.” But there could be more teams open to acquiring Karlsson now after he played all 82 games and collected 101 points in the most prolific season for any NHL defenseman in 31 years. The salary cap, projected to be $83.5 million for next season, is expected to rise significantly in 2024 and 2025 – past $90 million — lessening the percentage that Karlsson’s contract would count against the cap.
“It’s not something that we’re looking to give him away just to get cap space. I think we have an idea of what we think he’s worth and what we should get in return and then we’ll just kind of leave it at that. Like any deal, there’s give and take on both sides and the balance of yes, getting some cap space, but also getting what we feel is a good return for him.”