4 Erik Karlsson Offseason Trade Landing Spots Amid NHL Rumors

Even though the NHL Trade Deadline has come and gone there is still a chance to talk about potential moves. Especially when trades could be the best way for teams to improve themselves this offseason given how thin the unrestricted free agent class is looking.

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson could be one of the biggest names available, at least according to a recent suggestion from NHL insider Pierre LeBrun.

Karlsson was a prominent trade candidate prior to the start of the 2025-26 season given how low expectations were for the Penguins as part of their rebuild. The Penguins not only did not move him, they have also exceeded ever possible expectation that could have existed for them. They enter play on Wednesday in a playoff spot, occupying the second playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division and suddenly have an entirely different outlook than they did a year ago.

The future Hall of Famers on the roster (Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and Karlsson) are still playing well, there is a significant infusion of young talent, they have a ton of salary cap space going into the summer, more draft picks than any team in the NHL over the next four years, and fast improving farm system. Suddenly they look like a playoff team again with a much brighter future sooner than anybody could have expected.

Does that change their plans for Karlsson, who is playing some of the best hockey of his career?

It might.

But general manager Kyle Dubas also seems determined to keep the best interests of the franchise in mind for the long-term, so it is still possible that he could listen if teams call, especially as Karlsson enters the last year of his contract and will be eligible for unrestricted free agency after next season. Would he really want to risk losing him for nothing after next season? That would not be the type of asset management he has really utilized so far in Pittsburgh. So let's talk about some potential options.

Staying with the Pittsburgh Penguins

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Obviously this is not a "trade" option. This still might be the most logical and likely option at this point, because the Penguins should not be in a hurry to try and move him right now.

Why would they?

They look like a playoff team this season, and a very good playoff team. Nothing about it seems like a fluke, and there is good reason to believe they can still be there next season given the way Crosby is still playing, the young talent they have on the way, the salary cap space they have to work with, and the trade capital they have to utilize.

Karlsson is also a huge part of the success they are having. He is playing like a legitimate No. 1 defenseman and playing some of the best hockey of his career. It might not be showing up in the form of big-time offensive numbers (though, they are still excellent), but he is in control of the game, making smart plays, making smart decisions, and seems to be rejuvenated under first-year head coach Dan Muse. It is pretty clear that he and former Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan simply did not work well together. Things are different now. The vibe is better. The Penguins might want to see how this goes, especially as long as Crosby is still playing and if Malkin returns for another season.

Do not rule out a potential contract extension.

Dallas Stars

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Here is a potentially wild idea: How about some sort of a pure hockey trade.

Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson has been mentioned in trade speculation due to his restricted free agent status and the Stars salary cap crunch.

The Penguins need a younger superstar forward that can be a difference-maker for the next decade. They have a lot of really good young players, but are still lacking a true star.

The Stars have needed an impact right-shot defenseman for a couple of years now.

Everybody could get what they want and need here.

Even though Karlsson has a significant contract that could further complicate the Stars' salary cap situation, they could easily make it work as Karlsson's current deal would probably come in for a little less than what Robertson will get on his next deal. There would still be the matter of what to do with him beyond next season, and Dallas would probably want more coming back given the age different and contract situations, but maybe something works here.

If the Stars do trade Robertson (they should try to avoid that if at all possible), you have to imagine they will want something that will help them now given their status as a Stanley Cup contender right in the thick of their window for contention. Karlsson could fit that. Robertson could also help the Penguins have a long-term vision and also still remain competitive with Crosby and Malkin still playing.

Detroit Red Wings

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Depending on what happens over the next few weeks of the 2025-26 NHL regular season, there could be immense pressure on Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman going into next season. Assuming he is still the general manager of the team, because if they continue sliding here and miss the playoffs, again, with another bad March, that might be too much for even the perpetually patient Red Wings to deal with.

They have a great No. 1 defenseman in Moritz Seider. They have outstanding players at the top of their lineup. But depth is a big issue, especially when it comes to their defense pairings after Seider. Karlsson is still an impact player and the Red Wings have the type of salary cap space needed to take on Karlsson's contract. The question would be whether or not they have the draft pick capital and young assets that would be required to entice the Penguins to want to move Karlsson. Karlsson would have to want to go to a team that might only be a fringe playoff contender. There is a match in terms of need and salary cap space. But that is where the matches might end.

Ottawa Senators

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Karlsson has full no-trade protections in his contract and can pick and choose whatever destination he would ultimately go to, and that matters. He would want a place where he can win, and a place where he is comfortable. What about a return to Ottawa, the place where his career began and the place where he had his most individual success?

The Senators are a better team than their record indicates this season, and even if they miss the playoffs this season could still be a potential contender next season. Whenever Karlsson's name surfaced in trade rumors over the past year-and-a-half a return to Ottawa was always seen as a possibility, so it probably should still be now.

Los Angeles Kings

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Forward Anze Kopitar is retiring after this season and defenseman Drew Doughty is closer to following in his footsteps than he is to his prime. The Kings need somebody dynamic on this roster. They need somebody that can change a game. Karlsson would give them both, and perhaps give a pretty dull team a little excitement, and perhaps somebody that can actually move the needle forward.

The Kings have reached a plateau here in this rebuild, and have actually taken a step backwards this season. That can not continue going into next season. The defense especially needs a boost offensively, and Karlsson could provide that if the Penguins were to make him available or move him. It could even be a potential trade deadline addition if the Penguins do not have a new contract extension in place for Karlsson.