Elliotte Friedman reports on Erik Karlsson to Oilers rumors

San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson's Renaissance season continues in 2023, leading the entire league in points amongst defensemen with 14 goals and 58 points in 45 games, a full 10 points more than any other defender in the league. Impressive. And, don't forget... while it seems like he's been around forever, Karlsson is just 32 years old. He's not some old fogey holding on to the last gasp of his career, he still has some miles left on the odometer. 

With the Sharks at the bottom of the standings though, there's been plenty of speculation about Karlsson's future. Will he remain with the team? Surely, he'd prefer to go to a contender, right? The problem, of course, is Karlsson's enormous $11.5 million cap hit. There aren't many, if ANY, teams out there who can absorb that contract. Hell, it's difficult even if the Sharks were to retain 50% of his salary in a potential trade.

Interestingly enough, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reports that the Sharks and the Edmonton Oilers have had "legit conversations" about a hypothetical Karlsson trade, but that Sharks GM Mike Grier was able to keep things on the down low.

From Friedman:

12. I don’t think it ever got to Erik Karlsson, but I do think the Oilers and Sharks had legit conversations about the revitalized defender.

- Elliotte Friedman

Adding a revitalized Karlsson to that Oilers' blueline would be an absolute game changer. Interestingly enough, Karlsson was rumored to be heading to Edmonton way, way, waaaay back in 2018 when he was traded from the Ottawa Senators to the Sharks. The Oilers were one of the teams in the mix to land Karlsson five years ago and evidently they still have interest now in 2023. The cost of acquisition likely isn't near as high as it was back in 2018, but the problem with Karlson now of course is paying his $11.5 million salary for the next four and a half seasons. The Oilers are already incredibly cap strapped, so I'm not sure adding a veteran on an eight figure salary is the shrewdest move, but I'd absolutely love to see it if only for the immediate, short term impact.