San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson. Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Sharks star would like trade as soon as possible

By Adam Gretz | Last updated 6/25/23

Erik Karlsson has done just about everything an NHL player can do with the lone exception of winning a Stanley Cup. He knows time is running out for that, and he also knows it is probably not going to happen with the San Jose Sharks given their ongoing rebuild.

That is why he is looking for a trade this offseason,

Karlsson spoke to the media on Sunday in Nashville before Monday's NHL Awards ceremony, and talked about his desire to win and how he would like a trade to happen as soon as possible.

Said Karlsson, via Sportsnet's Luke Fox:

"I'm the best when you need to be the best. But if I don't have the chance to get to the place where you need to play the big games, then I might as well not do it. I could go through 82 games a year and be good, but I want to play when matters."

He also said he played with several players in his career that were great players and never won a Stanley Cup, and he does not want to be one of those players.

Karlsson has a no-trade clause in his contract and can dictate where he goes, and it is a given that he is going to want to play for a contender.

This is going to create a fascinating scenario in the coming weeks and months.

The 33-year-old Karlsson is still an impact player and capable of producing an obscenely high level. This past season he became the first defenseman in over 30 years to record 100 points in a single season and is a finalist for the Norris Trophy which is handed out annually to the league's best all-around defenseman.

He can make any team that he joins better.

The problem is going to be finding a contending team that has the assets the Sharks will want in a trade, and also one that has the salary cap space to take on Karlsson's massive contract.

He is still signed for another four years with an annual salary cap hit of $11.5M per season. He is one of the highest paid players in the league and not many teams — especially contending teams — have the salary cap space for it. The Sharks could retain some salary, or take on salary back in exchange in a trade, but it is going to take some creativity to make it work.

Edmonton, Vegas, Florida, Seattle or Dallas are just some of the teams that might make some sense for Karlsson to have interest in.

More must-reads: