Insider says former team could consider reunion with Erik Karlsson

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Cooper Godin
March 11, 2024 (12:02)

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The Pittsburgh Penguins are going to be an interesting team to keep an eye on at the draft and over the course of the summer as they try to remain competitive with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang on their roster.

Penguins General Manager Kyle Dubas made a big move at the trade deadline, sending Jake Guentzel to the Carolina Hurricanes for a package that includes a 2024 first-round pick and prospect Ville Koivunen, who is lighting up Liiga, Finland's highest division, as a 20-year-old.

While it's not a foregone conclusion that he'll be moved, but another way the Penguins could aid their minor re-tool is by moving defenceman Erik Karlsson and getting back assets that can help them right now.

During Monday's '32 Thoughts' podcast, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman shared that a Karlsson deal won't be easy by any means, but one team that could enter the mix is one of his former clubs - the Ottawa Senators.

Friedman says that the Senators having Daniel Alfredsson apart of their coaching staff could help them consider a move to bring back their former captain Erik Karlsson. However, Karlsson has a full no-movement clause and has the final say in any decision.

"It's not going to be an easy one to move, it definitely isn't...I'll say this, there is going to be a lot of focus on Ottawa, if there's one team that you would think would consider it, it would be them with Daniel Alfredsson there" Friedman said.

He added, "If it's not Ottawa, and don't forget, Karlsson has a lot of control here, it's hard to see where it makes sense. I think the Sens are going to be a really, really busy team in the offseason, I think they had a lot of conversations that will get punted into the summer"

Karlsson, 33, has taken a step back in his first campaign with the Pittsburgh Penguins, which was to be expected after a 101-point season with the San Jose Sharks in 2022-23. In 63 games this season, the Landsbro, Sweden native has 43 points (eight goals, 35 assists), 32 penalty minutes and is a a plus-five.

Do you think the Ottawa Senators should consider bringing back Erik Karlsson? Let us know what you think in the poll below.

Cont'd: "If it's not Ottawa, and don't forget, Karlsson has a lot of control here, it's hard to see where it makes sense. I think the Sens are going to be a really, really busy team in the offseason, I think they had a lot of conversations that will get punted into the summer"� NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) March 11, 2024