PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired Erik Karlsson in a blockbuster commerce with the San Jose Sharks that additionally contains the Montreal Canadiens.
Pittsburgh traded a 2024 first-round decide, ahead Mikael Granlund and defenseman Jan Rutta to San Jose and goaltender Casey DeSmith, defenseman Jeff Petry, a 2025 second-round decide and prospect Nathan Legare to Montreal as a part of the deal for the three-time Norris Trophy winner.
Karlsson is the primary defenseman to be traded contemporary off successful the Norris because the NHL’s prime defenseman since Doug Harvey in 1961. The 33-year-old Swede grew to become the primary participant on the place to document 100 factors in a season since Brian Leetch in 1991-92.
“While it is always difficult to trade a player of the caliber of Erik Karlsson, this trade accomplishes several goals for our franchise,” Sharks normal supervisor Mike Grier stated. “It adds two forwards to our roster who have proven ability to produce offensively at the NHL level and solidifies our NHL defense corps. Additionally, acquiring another first-round pick gives us the opportunity to continue fortifying our development system with high-end prospects and provides us some financial flexibility to add players as we see fit in the future.”
The difficult commerce concerned the Canadiens to make the salaries work. Karlsson has 4 years left on his contract at a cap hit of $11.5 million – $1.5 million of which San Jose will retain via the top of the deal in 2027.
As a part of the commerce, the Penguins additionally obtained ahead Rem Pitlick, prospect Dillon Hamaliuk and San Jose’s 2026 third-round decide. The Sharks additionally acquired Mike Hoffman from the Canadiens.
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