Karlsson acknowledges possibility of trade: 'Been through this before'
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson accepts that he's likely to face another offseason surrounded by trade rumors.
"It's a business," Karlsson said at Pittsburgh's locker clean out Friday, per NHL.com's Wes Crosby.
Karlsson added, "Been through this before. I realize the magnitude of it. At the end of the day, it's a business. Whatever happens is going to happen. But all I can say is I've enjoyed everything here. I enjoy (it) on a personal level. Me and my family really want it to work here."
The Penguins reportedly made it known they were willing to trade the veteran blue-liner leading up to the trade deadline. However, the offseason creates an easier avenue to facilitate a deal with fewer salary-cap restraints around the league.
Karlsson just wrapped up his second season with the Penguins, who acquired him in a blockbuster trade with the San Jose Sharks. He joined Pittsburgh after a 101-point, Norris Trophy-winning season but has failed to replicate that elite production, tallying 56- and 53-point outputs with the Pens.
"I think Erik Karlsson has elite talent," head coach Mike Sullivan said, per 93.7 The Fan. "He makes a handful of plays each game that other players can't make. Just like our team, consistency of that is the challenge."
Karlsson, who was also traded from the Ottawa Senators earlier in his career, is under contract for two more seasons at an $11.5-million cap hit. The soon-to-be 35-year-old ranks 15th in points by a defenseman in NHL history with 870 in 1,084 games.
The Penguins missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season.