It’s no longer a secret that the San Jose Sharks are trying to trade the last Norris Trophy winner, Erik Karlsson. And his next destination could well be Toronto.
The Maple Leafs are reportedly among the teams Karlsson has talked to in an effort to help the Sharks trade him, he told the Swedish daily. Expressen. Recall that the 33-year-old defender asked the Californian organization to be traded in order to have a chance to win the Stanley Cup before the end of his career. However, he has a complete non-movement clause which allows him to have control over his next destination.
In this process, he revealed to the Swedish media that he had discussions with Toronto, but also with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Carolina Hurricanes, the Seattle Kraken and “a few additional teams”.
“I am open in this whole process. I don’t have a favorite destination. I just want to have the best chance possible to play for the best team possible. »
Pittsburgh at the top of the list?
Although Toronto is among the candidates, the most persistent rumors send Karlsson with Sidney Crosby and his gang to Pittsburgh.
According to the Athletic site, recently both Crosby and Kristopher Letang were consulted by senior management and approved of Karlsson’s possible move to Pennsylvania.
In Letang’s case, the organization promised him that he would keep his title of defender no. 1 but Letang agreed to give up his quarterback position on the first power-play wave to Karlsson.
Friend with Spezza
In addition, Jason Spezza now acts as assistant general manager in Pittsburgh. He and Karlsson know each other well, having played together with the Ottawa Senators from 2009 to 2014.
“Me and Jason Spezza talked a lot. We are longtime friends. We were also talking when he was in Toronto. Our discussions are more at the level of friendship. I’ve talked to the people I need to talk to in Pittsburgh including Kyle Dubas. I tried to get as much information as possible from the teams that interest me, on how they owe me and what they want. I want to make the best decision for my family and me. »
Karlsson is coming off a career-best offensive season with 101 points in 82 games, earning him the Norris Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s most valuable defenseman. However, it is his contract that makes a transaction more complicated. Next season, he will serve the first of four years remaining on a contract that pays him $11.5 million per season.