This Norris Trophy Winner Could Be Headed To The Oilers
Daniel Nugent-Bowman of theathletic.com thinks that the Edmonton Oilers will make another pitch to acquire Erik Karlsson this summer.
You remember that the Oilers had tried to trade for Karlsson before the trade deadline, but it didn't work out. Now, the Oilers plan to check in on Karlsson again.
Why wouldn't they? He tallied a record 101 points for the lowly San Jose Sharks team. He could certainly take the Oilers blueline to a new level. Their power play would go insane, and adding him there would be a great benefit.
The team already had the top power play in the NHL with a 32.4 percent success rate.
The problem is the salary cap. While it may rise about $4 million in a year or two, right now it is set to be at $83.5 milion. Fitting in Karlsson's $11.5 million cap hit would take a genius.
If the Sharks would be open to retaining some salary, it would help. They could even get a third team like the Blackhawks or Anaheim, or Arizona to be a third party in a prospective deal.
The Oilers already must shed money to re-sign Bouchard (and Ryan McLeod and Klim Kostin) and fill out their roster. One of Ceci, Foegele, Kulak or Yamamoto will almost certainly have to be moved as it stands. Getting Karlsson at more than half price means two of them are gone and probably even three.
In the end, the above Oiler players may need to be sacrificed to improve the team and get into the Stanley Cup Final. Is it worth it? You bet it is!
The sticking point may be the length of Karlsson's contract. He still has four years left and unless the cap rises, that would hurt the Oilers capability to sign other players.
The intrigue of adding such a talented veteran blueliner has to have GM Ken Holland waking up in the middle of the night in cold sweats! If that wouldn't put the Oilers over the top, there may not be any hope for them to win a Cup.
To have Karlsson rushing up the ice and passing to either Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl would be a dream come true. He is far and away an elite player and Oilers' fans would really get pumped to have him on the roster.
With the NHL draft taking place on June 26, 27th, we should know then if a trade can be worked out.
| POLL | ||
Is it possible that the Oilers can acquire Erik Karlsson? | ||
| Yes, anything is possible! | 222 | 37.1 % |
| No, his contract is too much! | 280 | 46.7 % |
| Not sure | 59 | 9.8 % |
| He would bring a Cup to Edmonton | 38 | 6.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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