REPORT: ‘Clarity’ on Karlsson Trade Close?

Could there be some significant movement on the Erik Karlsson to Pittsburgh Penguins trade front this weekend?

That’s what Elliotte Friedman suggested yesterday on the NHL Network about the San Jose Sharks star: “I am very curious to see, if by the time that buyout window closes, and it closes on [Monday], we have some clarity on Erik Karlsson.”

Kyle Dubas has completed his general manager search and has named himself general manager.

Does the Pittsburgh Penguins' attention now shift to a potential Erik Karlsson trade? @JamisonCoyle | @FriedgeHNIC | #LetsGoPens | #NHLTonight pic.twitter.com/f0cGJQBwyn

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 4, 2023

On Saturday, a second off-season buyout window will open for the Penguins. They’ll have 48 hours to make a move.

If Pittsburgh buys someone out, a Mikael Granlund, $5 million AAV for two years, they could clear $4.17 million in cap space next season and $3.17 million in 2024-25.

Another possible Penguins buyout candidate, Jeff Petry, $6.25 million AAV for two years, wouldn’t save as much, $3.25 million next year and $1.75 million in 2024-25.

Buying out either could be a signal that the cap-strapped team is making space for the reigning Norris Trophy winner and his potential $11.5 million AAV. The San Jose Sharks can retain on some of that too, lowering the cap hit for Pittsburgh.

“I’ve had a couple people just say, keep an eye this weekend,” Friedman said, “there’s going to be an attempt to see if this can get closed.”

Of course, it takes two to tango. It’s not just about Pens GM Kyle Dubas making space, his San Jose Sharks counterpart Mike Grier has to agree to a trade too.

So keep in mind, Friedman is not saying that anything certain will happen on the Karlsson trade front this weekend.

“We’ve been here before. I don’t want to be the bringer of false alarms and false panic. But there is a little bit of let’s just say noise on the radar,” he warned, “to keep an eye out this weekend.”