Erik Karlsson Headed to Edmonton? Shocking Twist Emerges in Star Defenseman's Future

Pittsburgh doesn't need to trade Erik Karlsson right away, but GM Kyle Dubas is looking towards a younger, asset-laden future.

Two years remain on Karlsson's $11.5M cap hit, and with the Penguins not likely to compete in the near future, a deal does make sense.

Karlsson is still an elite offensive defenseman, with 70 points per 82 games on average in the previous three seasons, top-10 for his position. He's been healthy as well, playing all 82 games in three consecutive years.

Defensively, though, he's had issues. San Jose and Pittsburgh were both slightly outscored at even strength when he was on the ice, and goaltending wasn't a help.

The Oilers could look to possibly replace Darnell Nurse with Karlsson

For Edmonton, picking up Karlsson might appear to be a luxury, but it would be a strategic upgrade. Trading Darnell Nurse's cumbersome $9.2M contract as part of a larger deal could provide the flexibility necessary.

And Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl love playing with mobile defensemen. McDavid's scoring rate increases by 5% with Evan Bouchard; Draisaitl's by a whopping 24%.

If the cap math works out, Karlsson might bring another level of dynamism to an already potent Oilers lineup. NHL analyst Travis Yost thinks the Swede might end his career north of the border. Edmonton could be just the spot.