3 teams that can make legitimate trade offers for Erik Karlsson
The price to land Erik Karlsson would undoubtedly be a steep one, but several teams are well equipped and well positioned to make reasonable pitches to the Ottawa Senators.
Karlsson is once again in the spotlight with Monday's trade deadline approaching, as the Senators have reportedly been engaged in trade dialogue about the superstar defenseman with more than six NHL clubs.
Teams would need to meet several criteria for a deal to make sense. They would need enough cap space to absorb Karlsson's $6.5-million cap hit this season and next, they'd need to possess elite prospects or young players already at the NHL level, and they would presumably be win-now teams.
Here are three teams that have the cap space, assets, and incentive to put together a package significant enough for Ottawa to consider parting with Karlsson before the deadline:
Tampa Bay LightningProjected deadline cap space: $9.7 million
| Senators receive | Lightning receive |
|---|---|
| D Mikhail Sergachev | D Erik Karlsson |
| F Tyler Johnson | |
| F Taylor Raddysh | |
| 1st-round pick (2018) | |
| 1st-round pick (2019) |
Why it works for the Lightning: Parting with Sergachev less than a year after landing him in the Jonathan Drouin trade wouldn't be ideal for Tampa Bay general manager Steve Yzerman, but if it means landing Karlsson, it would be worth it.
Adding Karlsson would turn arguably the league's best team into even more of a juggernaut, and pairing him with Victor Hedman would almost be unfair to the rest of the NHL.
The Lightning's forward depth would make jettisoning Johnson and promising prospect Raddysh bearable, and two late first-round picks would simply be the cost of doing business, considering what the Bolts would get back.
They have space to accommodate Karlsson's contract, and if the opportunity to sign the all-world defenseman to a mega-extension were to present itself on July 1, few NHL GMs are better than Yzerman at maneuvering under the cap to secure the club's core.
Why it works for the Senators: If you're going to give up arguably the game's best offensive defenseman, you should be getting a top defensive prospect or an NHL-ready rearguard with a high ceiling, and that describes Sergachev to a tee.
Few other teams have the assets to compete with what the Lightning can offer. If Ottawa does decide trading Karlsson is the right move, the possibility of getting Sergachev, a dependable forward with years of NHL experience in Johnson, another enticing prospect in Raddysh, and two first-round selections would be an offer worth considering for Senators GM Pierre Dorion.
Johnson is under contract until 2023-24, but he's a proven offensive contributor who's being trusted with top-line minutes alongside Steven Stamkos and getting power-play time, while Raddysh is excelling with the OHL's Sault St. Marie Greyhounds, entering Wednesday with 27 points in 17 games. - Josh Gold-Smith
Vegas Golden Knights
Projected deadline cap space: $36.2 million
| Senators receive | Golden Knights receive |
|---|---|
| 1st-round pick (2018) | D Erik Karlsson |
| 1st-round pick (2019) | F Bobby Ryan |
| 2nd-round pick (2018) | |
| F Nick Suzuki | |
| F Alex Tuch |
Why it works for the Golden Knights: In the spirit of Sin City, Vegas should go all in heading into the postseason and adding Karlsson would be just that.
The key to this deal is that Vegas is one of the few clubs that can fit both Karlsson and Ryan into the picture, which would help bring the asking price for Karlsson down.
Related - Report: Sens could discount Karlsson if team is willing to take Bobby Ryan
Two first-round picks, a second, Suzuki, and Tuch is a high ask and the argument could be made that Vegas would be sacrificing a lot of their future. However, the counter to that is Vegas is so close to a Cup and nothing is ever certain so you have to go for it when you have the chance.
Why it works for the Senators: The Senators' return is obvious in its enticement: three draft picks (including two firsts), a potentially elite producer in Suzuki, a budding star in Tuch, and they get Ryan off the books.
The draft picks are key for the Senators, especially since the club traded their first-rounder in this year's draft to Colorado Avalanche in the Matt Duchene deal, with the condition that if it's a top-10 pick, the Senators will retain the pick and the Avalanche will receive the team's 2019 first-rounder.
Suzuki is a dynamic center who can transition to the wing if needed, while Tuch is a 2014 first-round pick who's shown great offensive upside in his rookie season.
Finally, getting Ryan off the books frees up $7.25 million in cap space, providing flexibility to make a move in free agency and rebuild quickly on the fly. - Craig Hagerman
Nashville Predators
Projected deadline cap space: $14.9 million
| Senators receive | Predators receive |
|---|---|
| D Ryan Ellis | D Erik Karlsson |
| F Eeli Tolvanen | |
| F Pontus Aberg | |
| 1st-round pick (2018) | |
| 2nd-round pick (2019) |
Why it works for the Predators: Do the Predators need a defenseman? No. But Karlsson would not only give them forward-like production from the back end, but he'd help them form what could legitimately be considered the best defense corps of all time.
Ellis will demand a raise from his $2.5 million AAV when his contract is up after next season. The upgrade from Ellis to Karlsson would be well worth the proposed cost. With Scott Hartnell and Alexei Emelin as their only pending UFAs, the Preds are well equipped to make a Stanley Cup run not only this year, but next as well.
Why it works for the Senators: Ellis would give the Senators an NHL-ready replacement for Karlsson, albeit a significant downgrade. At 27, he still has plenty of good years ahead of him and would be much easier than Karlsson to sign long-term after next season.
Tolvanen is a blue-chip, can't-miss prospect. Drafted 30th overall in 2017, the Finn has 17 goals and 17 assists in 47 KHL games this year - outstanding numbers for a teenager. Aberg, 24, has shown flashes of brilliance, put up great numbers in the AHL, and seemingly just needs a chance to play top-six minutes - something he isn't getting in Nashville. - Josh Wegman
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)
(Salary information courtesy: CapFriendly)
Copyright (C) 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.