There has been a lot of trade speculation regarding Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson.
And Sunday, he made a point to shut it down.
According to a report by NHL Network’s Kathryn Tappen – who spoke with Karlsson Sunday morning – the three-time Norris Trophy-winning defenseman has not been approached by Penguins’ management about waiving his no-movement clause and is prepared to “take a stance” if approached.
Spoke to Erik Karlsson this a.m. He said he hasn’t been asked yet by Penguins mgmt to waive no-movement clause- but will take a stance if and when they do.
Karlsson has 2 years remaining on his contract. #TradeDeadline @NHL_On_TNT— Kathryn Tappen (@KathrynTappen) March 2, 2025
Karlsson, 34, has two years remaining beyond 2024-25 on an eight-year contract that pays him $11.5 million annually and has a full no-movement clause. The Penguins are paying $10 million of Karlsson’s contract, as $1.5 million was retained by the San Jose Sharks in the blockbuster trade that sent Karlsson to Pittsburgh on Aug. 6, 2023.
His tenure in Pittsburgh has been met with mixed appraisal, as the blueliner – despite still being one of the best at his position at generating offense – has struggled defensively. Karlsson, the 15th overall pick by the Ottawa Senators in the 2008 NHL Draft, also had a 25-goal, 101-point campaign with the Sharks in 2022-23.
Over the course of his two-year tenure with the Penguins, Karlsson has registered 19 goals and 100 points, with eight goals and 43 points in 62 games this season. As the Penguins attempt to rebuild on-the-fly, it is unclear which veterans on their roster will be a part of their plan moving forward.
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