The San Jose Sharks are making a “legit attempt” to complete a deal Sunday to trade star defenceman Erik Karlsson, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman has learned.
The trade would involve the Pittsburgh Penguins and at least one other team in order to “facilitate the cap gyrations,” according to Friedman.
Karlsson captured his third career Norris Trophy this past season after scoring 101 points (25 goals and 76 assists) in 82 games.
The 33-year-old Swede also earned the league’s top defenceman award in 2012 and 2015.
He was drafted 15th overall by the Ottawa Senators in 2008. After nine seasons in the nation’s capital, including four as captain, the Senators traded Karlsson to the Sharks in a blockbuster deal on Sept. 13, 2018.
Karlsson signed an eight-year, $92 million contract with San Jose in June 2019.
The Sharks made it to the Western Conference Final during Karlsson’s first season with the club, however, they’ve missed the playoffs in all four years since.
He has recorded 761 points (178 goals and 583 assists) in 920 games over 14 seasons with the Senators and Sharks.
