Insider Connects Hurricanes to Penguins' Erik Karlsson But Sees One Problem

With Brent Burns gone and over $10.5 million in cap space available, the Hurricanes could comfortably add Karlsson and his salary, let alone if the Penguins retain part of his cap hit.

Karlsson is under contract for two more seasons and carries a cap hit of $10 million annually after the San Jose Sharks retained part of it in his prior move to Pittsburgh.

Although Karlsson holds a full no-movement clause, he wants to join a playoff-caliber team and would be willing to unlock a move to such a team. That puts the Hurricanes in a prime position to acquire him, and Seravalli sees a player-team fit.

"Karlsson wants to play for a contender, and with Carolina losing Burns, the right side could use that boost,” Seravalli said. “He fills a need there.”

Is Erik Karlsson That Much Better Than What Carolina Already Has?

Seravalli, however, doesn't quite like a potential Hurricanes' move for Karlsson when comparing his salary, production, and cost-of-acquisition against the players on Carolina's current roster.

Despite the good on-paper fit, Seravalli challenged the assumption that Karlsson would be a major upgrade over the current roster.

"Let’s say we could get Karlsson at $7.5 million,” Seravalli said. “How much better is Erik Karlsson at seven and a half than Shayne Gostisbehere, running your power play at a number much less than that?”

Gostisbehere, who re-signed in Carolina on a three-year deal worth $9.6 million total and a tiny (compared to Karlsson's) $3.2 million annual salary, is coming off scoring 45 points in 70 regular-season games last year. He added nine points in 15 postseason outings.

Karlsson put up 53 points in 82 regular-season games, and he's missed the playoffs in back-to-back years.

"There’s a gap (in pedigree and production), sure," Seravalli said. "But is it worth the cost? That’s the curious question."