Rumored Erik Karlsson trade could be done “in a heartbeat.”

The NHL trade deadline is just 10 days away and Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas has his work cut out for him.

Dubas has denied speculation about a fire sale at the deadline, but veteran defenseman Erik Karlsson's name continues to circulate in trade rumors.

Penguins insider Josh Yohe of The Athletic reports that a team source tells him that Dubas could trade Karlsson "in a heartbeat."

The problem though, of course, is Karlsson's $10 million annual cap hit. The 34 year old Karlsson also has a full no-trade clause in his contract and can exercise full control on his future.

An unnamed Eastern Conference GM reportedly told Yohe that, “Karlsson is out there, but Pittsburgh would have to retain (salary).”

More from Yohe:

League sources have told me that Karlsson’s outstanding play in the 4 Nations Face-Off drew attention. One NHL team executive told me that Karlsson simply might be a bad fit in Penguins coach Mike Sullivan’s system and that, if properly insulated by “a good defense team,” he could probably be effective and intriguing for potential buyers.

An NHL team executive also told me he believes Karlsson is more likely to be dealt this summer, when the salary cap has risen dramatically. At that point, the executive said, teams will be more likely to take on the majority of Karlsson’s bulky contract.

One way or another, it seems unlikely that Karlsson will play out his contract in Pittsburgh. The Penguins view a very small list of players as being unmovable. Karlsson is most certainly not one of them.

- Josh Yohe

I have to agree with the NHL executive who predicted that Karlsson is more likely to be moved this upcoming offseason rather than in-season. Karlsson's contract is simply too hefty to move mid-season unless the Penguins are willing to swallow 50% of his salary... and I'm not sure that's a wise move at this juncture. 

Still, Yohe predicts that Karlsson is unlikely to finish his contract with Pittsburgh. So... who wants him? And at what cost?