Erik Karlsson still likes it in Pittsburgh.
And he still sees his station as a defenseman with the Pittsburgh Penguins as providing a viable route to a Stanley Cup championship.
But certainly not this season.
Following a wild 6-5 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs at PPG Paints Arena on Sunday, Karlsson addressed the possibility he could be traded from a team that is bound to miss the postseason for the third consecutive year as the NHL’s trade deadline approaches Friday.
Karlsson has a no-movement clause in his contract and would need to waive it if Penguins management were to execute any kind of transaction.
He currently counts $10 million against the Penguins’ salary cap and has two years remaining (beyond the current season) on his contract.
The Penguins have largely been sellers with most of the trades they have orchestrated over the past 12 months, mostly acquiring future assets while jettisoning NHL veterans.
Karlsson indicated he has not been asked to waive his clause as of yet.
“Obviously, with my situation, I have full say on whether anything happens or not,” Karlsson said. “I have not been asked, and, until I do get asked, whenever that is and if that is, I’ll take a stance. Until then, I’m not worrying about it. I have nothing to worry about because I would be the first one to know, I’m sure. Then I’ll deal with that situation if that occurs. Up until now, it hasn’t. It hasn’t been on my mind, and it’s not something that I’m walking around thinking about.
“It obviously is a stressful time here for most of this group right now with the situation that we’re in. Everybody’s been around long enough to know what’s going to happen most likely. That weighs on you. As for my situation, like I said, I’ll deal with that if it, and when it, comes. Until then, I’m not.”
This season, Karlsson has skated in 63 games and is tied for third on the team in scoring with 45 points (eight goals, 37 assists) while averaging 23:17 of ice time per contest.
In August 2023, the Penguins swung a blockbuster three-team trade with the San Jose Sharks, Karlsson’s previous team, and the Montreal Canadiens to land the All-Star defenseman. He waived his clause then to facilitate that transaction.
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Since then, the Penguins have fallen well short of the grandest of ambitions in being a Stanley Cup contender.
Karlsson was asked if he still thinks he can win his first career championship as a member of the Penguins with what term remains on his current contract.
“Yeah,” Karlsson said. “I’ve always liked this group. Obviously, we haven’t gotten the most out of it. We haven’t played up to the potential that we believe we have in here. That’s tough. But again, I love all the guys. I’ve had a good time here, and I’ll continue and do so until my time is over.”