Penguins Chance To Trade Karlsson Is Similar To Blackhawks & Jones

Erik Karlsson may be traded from the Pittsburgh Penguins before his contract is up, but that is easier said than done for a player on the back half of his career, his best days are behind him, and has a cap hit of $10 million AAV on the Penguins.

It's tough to say how the offseason and next season are going to play out for the Penguins, but Kyle Dubas doesn't seem to want to fully rebuild while Sidney Crosby is still playing and at an elite level. While Karlsson can be part of the solution, it hasn't really worked out for the Penguins since the trade to acquire him was made. It is a lot of cap eaten up by someone who plays a similar role to Kris Letang.

Karlsson scored 11 goals and 53 points this season, and that's nothing to overlook. He is still effective and a team in contention could very much use his skillset to improve. That is where the Penguins are going to find a potential trade partner like the Chicago Blackhawks did with Seth Jones and his large contract.

While there are similarities in what the Blackhawks pulled off in trading Jones to the Florida Panthers and what the Penguins may do with Karlsson, there are some differences as well. Jones' cap hit was a little less and he's younger, but he also had more years remaining. Karlsson has two years left on his deal and Pittsburgh has three retention spots. Eating up to 33% on a trade could work wonders and allow a solid return somewhat like what the Blackhawks got back for Jones.

That would be the best outcome for the Penguins. Letang can resume his duties on the top power play and there be no changes mid games or multiple times throughout the season. While a trade involving a cap hit as high as Karlsson's is easier to get done in the offseason while no games are going on and the cap isn't in effect, Pittsburgh could also wait until ahead of the trade deadline for a team that is desperate for defensive help on the right side to have the need and cap space.

Florida was in a position of need and players were hurt. The cap space was available to add Jones and that availability may be present for a contending team next season. Karlsson hasn't won a Stanley Cup and has had a great career. It is definitely something he wants to do before retiring and he can produce.