Report: Penguins already looking to trade Erik Karlsson?

The Erik Karlsson era officially came to a close with the San Jose Sharks this past offseason, as he was dealt to the Pittsburgh Penguins in a blockbuster 3-team trade that saw the Penguins trade goaltender Casey DeSmith and defenseman Jeff Petry to the Habs, who sent Mike Hoffman to the Sharks. 

However, after racking up a career-high 101 points last season with the Sharks, Karlsson is on pace right now to not reach anywhere near that mark in his first year with the Penguins. Through 30 games, he's scored six goals to go with 16 assists, a pace of 60 points. 

60 points wouldn't be a bad output for just about any other defenseman in the NHL, but not exactly the kind of numbers that new Penguins president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas was envisioning when he executed the bold trade. 

Is he already looking to get out of it? Don't be surprised, according to one writer. Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now  has suggested that the Penguins would be open to trading Karlsson less than a year after having acquired him in the major deal with the Sharks. 

"From this view of the church, it seems the Penguins could indeed trade Erik Karlsson," wrote Kingerski. "He's here to win, and if that's not going to happen, both sides could find a quick and amicable parting. Dubas could surely recoup the first and second-round picks the Penguins gave up in the deal, if not more, and even come out ahead. However, next summer is the more likely timeframe for that trade because of Karlsson's salary."

Right now, Karlsson is in the middle of the hefty eight-year contract that he signed while with the Sharks that carries an AAV of $11.5 million, making him one of the highest compensated players in the NHL today. 

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