Erik Karlsson traded to Penguins in crazy three team trade

This just in... it's over. It's finally over.

The Summer of Erik Karlsson has come to a close. The San Jose Sharks have officially traded superstar defenseman Erik Karlsson to the Pittsburgh Penguins in a blockbuster deal. Interestingly enough, it's actually a three team deal involving the Montreal Canadiens.

Here are the details:

Going to Pittsburgh: Erik Karlsson, Dillon Hamaliuk, and our 2026 third-round selection.

Going to San Jose: Mikael Granlund, Mike Hoffman, Jan Rutta, and a 2024 first-round selection.

Going to Montreal: Jeff Petry, Casey DeSmith, Nathan Legare and a 2025 second-round selection.

Check it out:

More details including reaction from around the league to come.

"When a player like that comes available, I think especially with the core group and how special that core group of people is in the room… well, I think it's incumbent on me to reach out and see if there's a fit there for us," Penguins GM Kyle Dubas said earlier this week in addressing Karlsson trade rumors.

It took awhile, but Dubas got his man in the end. Now, the Penguins boast the reigning Norris Trophy winner and arguably the best defenseman in the NHL.

The Penguins are getting a motivated player, not an aging superstar looking for one last pay day. "As much as I try and stay in the moment, reflecting back as much as I can at this stage, it gives me a lot of joy," Karlsson said earlier this offseason when reflecting on his 2022-23 campaign. "I think that's the most important thing maybe I had been missing before for a little bit, is just enjoying hockey again. Because I love to play this sport, I love what I do, and I think that really showed this year."

With the deal the Penguins are now officially over the cap by about $80,000 but with some lineup shuffling and long-term injury designation, there's reason to believe that Dubas will have the team cap compliant to begin the 2023-24 campaign. Just an absolute master class in trading from both Dubas and from Sharks GM Mike Grier.