Erik Karlsson Traded From The Sharks To The Penguins
Erik Karlsson, a talented defender, was acquired from the San Jose Sharks on Sunday in a summer blockbuster by the Pittsburgh Penguins. Another party to the transaction was the Montreal Canadiens.
Erik Karlsson, a talented defender, was acquired from the San Jose Sharks on Sunday in a summer blockbuster by the Pittsburgh Penguins. Another party to the transaction was the Montreal Canadiens.
The complete exchange looks like this:
- In exchange, the Penguins get Erik Karlsson, Dillon Hamaliuk, Rem Pitlick, and San Jose’s third-round selection in 2026.
- Mikael Granlund, Mike Hoffman, Jan Rutta, and Pittsburgh’s 2024 first-round selection go to the Sharks.
- Jeff Petry, Casey DeSmith, Nathan Legare, and Pittsburgh’s 2025 second-round selection go to the Canadiens.
Karlsson won the Norris Trophy in 2023 after turning in a masterful offensive campaign, scoring 25 goals and amassing 101 points while suiting up for the Sharks in every game as they struggled mightily and sought to speed up their reconstruction. Nevertheless, he was a defensive liability, as he was on the ice for 96 of the league’s worst goals against at 5-on-5.
In many respects, Karlsson can be seen as an intense fourth forward who succeeds on the power play and plays many minutes but isn’t expected to shut down opportunities against top-six opponents.
It’s a brilliant move by Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas and the team to take advantage of the waning years of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang.
The prospect of extending Crosby’s window of opportunity for a potential fourth Stanley Cup inspired Dubas, and the 33-year-old Karlsson fits this frame. Karlsson can give the Penguins some immediate offence in the early going of the regular season, as Jake Guentzel will be out of the lineup indefinitely.
If the Penguins’ power play leads to a strong playoff run that puts Crosby and company in actual title contention, Dubas will appear to be a genius.
The Sharks received a first-round selection but a relatively dismal return. Hoffman is an empty-calorie scorer who is careless defensively and may need to be buried in a bottom-six position, while Granlund is a reliable senior presence. The Sharks should concentrate on top-20 NHL draft pick Macklin Celebrini as the tank is in full effect. Celebrini is a Boston University star.
The Canadiens are a youthful, developing squad that is still two years away from being able to challenge in the Atlantic Division. Petry gets a second chance with this team. Petry is an excellent business for the facilitator, giving them a prospective second-round selection and a professional asset.
