Erik Karlsson is the Penguins' most obvious trade chip as Kyle Dubas listens on his veterans.
The Penguins sit 29th in the NHL at 6-10-2, and they play in San Jose tonight. Earlier this week, we reported on Kyle Dubas's terms for Rakell and Rust, so the sell-off is already moving.
Karlsson fits that picture. He's 36, he's a pending unrestricted free agent, and no extension has been signed.
He also still produces. The defenseman has 18 points in 18 games this season, with 15 of them assists, and he's picked up six of those points on the power play. That's a number contenders will notice, even with a -6 rating on a team that has allowed 65 goals.
The cost is the other half of the conversation. His cap hit is $11.5 million through the end of this season, so Pittsburgh would almost certainly have to keep some of that money on its books to get a deal done.
What follows is speculation about fit, not a report of talks with any team.
Which contender makes the most sense for Karlsson?
Carolina is the cleanest fit. The Hurricanes lead the NHL at 14-3-2 and are a team that doesn't need saving, which is exactly what a rental wants. A package could revolve around a young defenseman like Alexander Nikishin, 25, who has played one game this season and scored once.
Boston is the other name that jumps out. The Bruins are first in the Atlantic at 13-4-1, and a younger forward such as Matthew Poitras, 22, with 7 points in 13 games, is the type of piece Pittsburgh would ask about.
Ottawa is the sentimental pick. The Senators drafted Karlsson 15th overall in 2008, and they sit fourth in the Atlantic after last night's 3-2 overtime loss to Washington.
Our pick is Carolina. A team that good with a power-play quarterback of his caliber would be a nightmare for the East, and Karlsson has no reason to prefer a bubble team.
Pittsburgh would be selling a rental, so the return won't be huge. How much money the Penguins are willing to eat could decide it.
Quick hits
SEATTLE KRAKEN: Taylor Hall will play his 1,000th career game Thursday against the Kraken in Helsinki, NHL Media announced. Not a bad stage for a milestone.
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SAN JOSE SHARKS: Macklin Celebrini gets another crack at 200 career points tonight as the Sharks host the Penguins.
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PHILADELPHIA FLYERS: A DFO Insider note says the Flyers asked Chicago about Oliver Moore, adding a new wrinkle to the Matvei Michkov saga. Keep an eye on this one.
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INJURY: Michael Russo reports Brock Faber is penciled in to return to the Wild lineup Saturday night in Boston. That is welcome news after a long wait.
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NEW YORK ISLANDERS: David Pagnotta reports the Islanders are eyeing next Tuesday for Mathew Barzal's season debut.
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This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence, based on public reports and official sources.
Should the Senators bring Erik Karlsson back to Ottawa?
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