REPORT: Karlsson ‘Likely’ To Get Traded to Pens or Canes

Are the San Jose Sharks close to dealing Erik Karlsson?

Elliotte Friedman told NHL Network that he thinks it’s down to two teams vying for Karlsson, though a trade may or may not be close. It’s the same two teams that have been rumored for a week.

“I think it’s Pittsburgh and Carolina,” Friedman shared. “I think it’s a bit of a poker game.”

Is the Erik Karlsson sweepstakes down to two teams?@FriedgeHNIC provides the latest. @JamisonCoyle | @asgrimson | #SJSharks | #NHLTonight pic.twitter.com/W7iMUXBdO2

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) July 11, 2023

Friedman explained: “I think that San Jose knows what Carolina is willing to do. I think they know what Pittsburgh is willing to do. I think both those two teams know what San Jose is willing to do.

“Does anybody move? Anyone change? Anyone’s position change?”

Friedman thinks that one of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Carolina Hurricanes – or the San Jose Sharks – will yield. He referenced the recently-completed Alex DeBrincat deal from the Ottawa Senators to the Detroit Red Wings as a model for a Karlsson trade.

“I think this will get done. Most likely to one of those two teams,” the insider opined. “I just think this is a situation right now where no one is 100 percent happy [with the deal]. We’re not there. If we learned anything from DeBrincat, somebody has to be willing to move to change the whole pulse and where things stand.”

It seems like all it will take is one phone call, and Karlsson will no longer be with the San Jose Sharks.

“So the question’s going to be,” Friedman asked, “who’s willing to bend a little bit to get this done?”