Penguins Could Have Difficult Decision To Make With Erik Karlsson

Heading into the last year of his contract, what does the future hold for 36-year-old Erik Karlsson? Will he finish the 2026-27 season in Pittsburgh? And how about after that? 

The Athletic's Josh Yohe was asked what the Penguins might have in mind with the veteran blueliner, who had an excellent renaissance season after his first year in Pittsburgh went so poorly.

If they aren’t having a very good season come January or February, Karlsson should almost certainly be traded, especially if he’s performing at a level remotely close to last season’s. This is a no-brainer.

Karlsson was spectacular last season. Is he really coming back when his contract expires after next season? Dealing him for a significant asset or two might make more sense.

One hockey podcaster and analyst recently suggested that a trade back to the Ottawa Senators, or to the Toronto Maple Leafs, could be on the horizon. 

But what if the Penguins are having a strong season and look like they could make some noise in the postseason? That's where the difficult decision would come in. 

A tough call for Penguins on Erik Karlsson is looming

It doesn't seem fair to franchise icon Sidney Crosby to trade Karlsson and potentially prevent Crosby from one more chance at a nice playoff run. If that's the case, Yohe feels the Pens may just have to hold Karlsson through the end of the season and then just let him walk in free agency for nothing. He doesn't feel that re-signing him, going into his age-37 season, makes any sense. 

Karlsson is a three-time Norris Trophy winner as the NHL's top defenseman. Although he'll never approach that 100-point season again that he had with the San Jose Sharks in 2022-23, another 66-point year with a plus-8 rating while logging over 23 minutes of ice time, like last season, and he should still be in line for a hefty deal of some kind as a UFA next summer. 

It's just not very likely that it would come from Penguins GM Kyle Dubas.