REPORT: Grier Says He’ll ‘Listen’ to Trade Offers for Karlsson

Mike Grier is willing to listen to trade offers for Erik Karlsson.

In other news, water is wet.

“I’ll listen, but at the end of the day too, a lot will depend on Erik too,” the new San Jose Sharks general manager said after today’s NHL GM meeting.

Of course, if a team is willing to take on the next four years of Karlsson’s massive contract, $11.5 million dollars AAV, you have to listen. The San Jose Sharks have missed the playoffs in the last three years, nobody on the roster should be safe.

In fact, that was the report three weeks ago, that Grier was “willing to listen” on every Shark except for Tomas Hertl.

REPORT: Sharks “Willing to Listen” on Every Player Except Hertl

Frankly, it would be malpractice if Grier didn’t listen.

And as Grier himself noted, a trade depends on Karlsson too. Literally. Karlsson has a no-movement clause included with his eight-year contract, set to expire after the 2026-27 season.

“I know right now he’s happy. He’s happy in San Jose. His family’s happy there,” Grier noted. “And we’re thrilled with how he’s playing.”

It’s been a renaissance campaign for the 32-year-old blueliner, who leads all NHL defensemen in both goals and points. It’s been at least three years since the two-time Norris Trophy winner has seriously been in the Norris conversation, but he’s a favorite right now.

“To me, he’s probably one of the three best offensive defensemen in the League, and he’s been great for us. He’s done everything we’ve asked as far as preparation, practicing, playing,” Grier said. “So maybe there’s a scenario where a team comes asking for him [in a trade], because I do think he’s a difference-maker. He’s someone who can go out there and win you a game – or win you a series, for that matter – so maybe something will come up down the road. We’ll see.”

Karlsson’s game-changing play, as Grier suggests, has at least opened the door a crack for a trade of the highest-paid defenseman in the NHL.

But there are more pressing questions that have yet to be answered: Would the San Jose Sharks be willing to retain on Karlsson’s cap hit? If so, how much? And of course, what circumstances could make Karlsson consider waiving his NMC?