Everyone knows that with the plan that general manager Kyle Dubas has in place for the Penguins, that a 34-year-old Erik Karlsson does not fit into those future plans. The Penguins' plan has always been to get younger and faster and an aging defenseman that could net the team a decent return at the Trade Deadline, is not one of those types of players.
The question has always been, where could the Penguins ship him to and or where would Karlsson fit in the best if the Penguins were to get out of his contract? Well Elliotte Friedman thinks the Dallas Stars could be a fit, but wondered how the money was going to work for it.
On Pittsburgh: Elliotte theorizes about an Erik Karlsson trade to Dallas. Stresses it's just a theory and he doesn't know if it's possible salary cap wise. #LetsGoPens #TexasHockey #NHL pic.twitter.com/6Qw7br9JHn
— NHL Trade Alert (@NHLTradeAlert) February 24, 2025
Florida or Dallas is the ideal fit for Erik Karlsson
Karlsson could fit well on either the Florida Panthers or the Dallas Stars and both for different reasons.
He would be a good fit in Florida because they now need someone that can really help drive offense with Matthew Tkachuk being out for a while after he sustained an injury in the Four Nations Faceoff.
Karlsson is an offensive play driver and he would be a great fit on the defending champs down in Sunrise, especially since his preference is likely to go to a contender.
But Karlsson would also be a good fit in Dallas because as mentioned before, they are without Miro Heiskanen for a while, and he would fit in well as a replacement there.
Karlsson potentially being traded opens a full-time roster spot for Harrison Brunicke next season
The Penguins recently selected Harrison Brunicke with one of their second-round picks that they had in this past year's NHL Draft.
And if the Penguins can eventually find a trade partner for Karlsson, that will open up a spot for him full-time next season as he nearly made the team out of training camp this season.
It also bodes well for Brunicke as they both play on the right side of the blue line and that really plays a factor if the Penguins can find a taker for Karlsson.