Penguins Reveal Erik Karlsson’s Future With Team

Pittsburgh Penguins defenceman Erik Karsson waves to fans

According to insider Pierre LeBrun on TSN, Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas has addressed the mounting speculation about the future of defenseman Erik Karlsson. And the GM made it clear that Karlsson will not be traded this summer.

Penguins GM Kyle Dubas has confirmed that veteran defenceman Erik Karlsson will not be traded this summer.

While Karlsson remains signed through next year at a cap hit of $10 million, he is owed a $6 million signing bonus on July 1 of this year and just $1.5 million in remaining… pic.twitter.com/WFPjB1lDy5
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) March 24, 2026

"I will tell you that I chatted with Penguins GM Kyle Dubas, who is not happy to have Karlsson’s name out there in terms of trade chatter. He is adamant that Karlsson has been such a great player for them this year, that he views Karlsson as a guy that they will continue to want to retool and put young players around, that he doesn’t see himself wanting to trade him this summer.

"He wanted to be clear about that with me and to spread the word, I guess, that he doesn’t view Erik Karlsson as a trade chip this summer," LeBrun said on TSN on Tuesday.

Karlsson has been subject of trade rumors, but Penguins have no intention of trading him

The 35-year-old veteran has been the subject of trade rumors for over a year, as Dubas and the Penguins continued their goal of making the team younger for the future.

But a strange thing happened on the way to pushing Karlsson and other veterans out the door: The Pens suddenly became a playoff-worthy team this season, and currently sit in second place in the Metropolitan Division (though it is a tenuous hold on that spot). And Karlsson is a main reason why.

The Penguins are 35-19-16, and Karlsson, despite low expectations coming into this season, has been back to his dominant self, bringing his elite puck-moving and offensive creation back to the Pittsburgh blueline. With 54 points through 65 games, he's on pace for his highest output since his 101-point season with San Jose in his last Norris-winning season in 2022-23.

He is once again a primary fixture on the top pairing and power play.

Karlsson, a three-time Norris Trophy winner, has one more year to run on his deal, with a cap hit for the Penguins of $10 million. The veteran D-man is owed a $6 million signing bonus on July 1, but then a salary of just $1.5 million for the 2026-27 season.

And it doesn't sound like he'll be going anywhere.