There hasn’t been any news on the trade front for Erik Karlsson and the San Jose Sharks.
But the reigning Norris Trophy winner’s return to his home country of Sweden has shed some light on where the defenseman could end up.
Karlsson was in Gothenburg, Sweden to receive the Golden Puck, a prize given to the best hockey player from the country that year, and spoke to Swedish outlet Expressen in an expansive interview that touched on several topics.
But the most informative to his current situation with the Sharks was that Karlsson has spoken to several teams in the NHL about a potential trade, including the Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes, Seattle Kraken, Toronto Maple Leafs. Karlsson said there have been other teams, as well.
“I am open in this process. I don’t have a chosen destination,” Karlsson said. “I just want the best chance to get to the best team.”
Karlsson, 33, said he has a good relationship with Sharks general manager Mike Grier, and their discussions since free agency began have allowed for transparency. After missing the playoffs each of the last four seasons with the sputtering Sharks, which included a dismal 22-44-16 record this past year, Karlsson sought to play for a Stanley Cup contender once again.
“I have been open that I want to try to win and San Jose have been open that it will not happen there,” Karlsson said. “We have a good relationship and we understand each other, even if it’s not a fun situation to get through. We’ll see if we can find something, because then we’ll go for it.”
The defenseman acknowledged that his massive contract — he’s due $11.5 million per year for the next four seasons — and the NHL’s salary cap only increasing by $1 million to $83.5 million per team for the upcoming season makes it hard for him to be moved.
This past year, in one of the most prolific individual seasons ever for a Sharks player, Karlsson had 25 goals and 76 assists as he became the first NHL defenseman in 31 years to score more than 100 points. It’s that level of production that has teams interested in trying to make the move for him, cost be damned.
Karlsson said he still lives in Ottawa, where he began his career with the Senators before being traded to the Sharks on Sept. 13, 2018. in the offseasons. He plans to move back to Ottawa once his career is over, but has enjoyed his time in San Jose — even if the team’s record on-ice hasn’t lived up to the expectations when he arrived.
“I like San Jose and I like it there, but I’ve never been able to win before,” Karlsson said. “I want that chance now that I’m at the end of my career.”
Karlsson said his full no-movement clause that he received when he signed an eight-year, $92 million extension with the Sharks on June 17, 2019 was important, saying it “makes the process a little easier.”
He added that he isn’t privy to the negotiations between the Sharks and other teams, which likely include how much of Karlsson’s contract San Jose will retain (they can keep up to 50%). It’s generally understood that the more money the Sharks retain, the better the return they will get in the trade.
But that doesn’t matter to Karlsson himself. He’s just hoping to get another chance to shine on hockey’s biggest stage and maybe win a Stanley Cup.
“Above all, I have proved to myself, maybe a little to everyone else too, that I still have it in me,” Karlsson said. “I know what I and my family want. Now we just hope we get the chance.”
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
