Erik Karlsson wants to be traded by the San Jose Sharks as soon as possible

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Cooper Godin
June 25, 2023 (6:37 PM)

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Erik Karlsson's name has been in the rumour mill for what feels like months now and a trade could be getting closer as the weeks go by.

The two sides have been working together on a potential deal, but when meeting with the media ahead of the NHL Awards show on Monday night, Karlsson says he wants to be moved by the Sharks as soon as possible.

"Erik Karlsson wants a trade as soon as possible but will not put a timeline on it. Plenty of interest. Says his choice will be based entirely on which team gives him the best chance to lift a Stanley Cup." Sportsnet's Luke Fox said.

The 33-year-old is coming off one of the best offensive seasons we've seen by a defenceman within the last three decades. In 82 games, Karlsson had 101 points (25 goals, 76 assists), 36 penalty minutes and was a minus-26.

"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." Karlsson said to reporters.

Karlsson, a native of Landbro, Sweden, has four years remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $11.5 million per season. Trying to move someone with a salary like Karlsson's won't be easy at all and it's very unlikely that the Sharks will want to eat 50% of his salary for the next four years. One possibility could be getting another team involved to help with salary retention.

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Do you think the Sharks will trade Erik Karlsson this week?
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