NHL Rumors: Sharks Asking a TON for Erik Karlsson

The San Jose Sharks are expected to be sellers ahead of the trade deadline and recently there's been some reports surfacing about ongoing trade talks. These talks have included defenseman Erik Karlsson, who has turned back the clock and is performing as one of the best blueliners in the league.

According to Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli, the Sharks have asked inquiring teams for THREE first-round picks for Karlsson and they will then retain 18% of the remainder of his contract. Karlsson is owed $11.5 million annually through the 2026-27 season. He also holds a full no-movement clause and has to approve any deal that's on the table by the Sharks.

Seravalli named the Ottawa Senators as a potential fit and had this to say:

Welcome home, Karl. Karlsson still spends a bit of his summers in Ottawa and he could return on the other side of a rebuild to an emerging Senators team and form a formidable top four with Thomas Chabot, Jake Sanderson and Artem Zub. The Sens’ fanbase would explode with excitement. One roadblock is the acquisition cost: it doesn’t seem like the Sens would be willing to trade that type of draft capital.

Karlsson has recorded 56 points in 43 games this season and appears to be back to full strength and worthy of Norris trophy votes. Where he ends this season? Anyone's guess at this point, but one thing's for sure, the Sharks are going to have to scale back their demands if they want a team to bite.

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