GM talks possible trade for Karlsson
Also other moves before trade deadline
After trading Timo Meier on Sunday, Sharks general manager Mike Grier said he didn't have any more deals on the front burner, and that includes anything regarding Erik Karlsson.
Karlsson's name has been in trade rumors at various times this season as he's been on pace to have the most prolific year for any defenseman in Sharks history. Going into Tuesday's home game with the Montreal Canadiens, Karlsson has 19 goals, 58 assists, and 77 points, totals that lead all NHL defensemen, making him an apparent favorite to win a third Norris Trophy as the league's best blueliner.
Brent Burns holds the Sharks' single-season record for points in a season by a defenseman with 83 in 2018-2019.
Grier on Sunday didn't rule out a trade that involves Karlsson prior to Friday's deadline but added the complexities involved in completing such a deal in less than a week's time might make it prohibitive. Karlsson's deal carries an average annual value of $11.5 million, making it the richest contract in the NHL for any defenseman. It also carries a full no-movement clause, giving Karlsson full veto power over any deal.
“When you've got a great player like that who can make a difference and maybe win you had a Stanley Cup, I think there's always a little bit of interest,” Grier said. “But at the same time, with five days to go before the deadline to make everything work, it might be something that's difficult to pull off. But if someone wants him bad enough … where there's a will, there's a way.
“I don't know for sure, but at this time, I'm anticipating him being here for the rest of the season, but we'll see. Everything could change at the drop of a hat.”
Asked if a Karlsson deal might be more likely to happen in the offseason when next year's salary cap has been finalized and more teams might be in the mix for the two-time Norris Trophy winner's services, Grier said, “I think it would be easier to do where you can kind of get your ducks in a row, and figure out how to make the money work, it's probably easier in the offseason.
“But at the same time, like I've been saying from the beginning, I've enjoyed being around Erik and watching Erik. He'll have a say in this and what he wants to do moving forward. But I'm just looking forward to watching him have a strong end to the season and kind of keep doing what he's been doing.”
“I haven't really given it too much thought. I haven't been asked about anything,” Karlsson said Monday. “Obviously with my contract situation, they wouldn't be able to do it without my consent and we haven't had those discussions yet. (Grier) hasn't approached me all season about anything.
“I think it'd be weird if (Grier) comes out with three days left to ask me to waive my no move. We've had plenty of time for that if that was the case, so I'm not too worried about it.”
The Sharks (18-30-12) have other players who might get traded before Friday, as both forward Nick Bonino and goalie James Reimer are pending unrestricted free agents. There have also been reports that the Sharks have an interest in Nashville Predators defenseman Dante Fabbro, who played for San Jose coach David Quinn at Boston University from 2016 to 2018, and are looking to trade winger Kevin Labanc.
“There's nothing imminent right now, but I think things happen fast this time of the year,” Grier said. “There's nothing really on the burner at the moment. But I think teams are kind of prepping themselves up and it'll pick up pretty quickly here, I would imagine, over the next few days.”
In Sunday's trade, which sent Meier and defenseman Scott Harrington to New Jersey, the Sharks received the Devils' 2023 firstround draft pick, a conditional 2024 first-round selection, defensemen Shakir Mukhamadullin and Nikita Okhotiuk, and forwards Fabian Zetterlund and Andreas Johnsson.
Johnsson, 28, is a pending unrestricted free agent and Zetterlund, 23 is a pending RFA.
Zetterlund and Johnsson have been added to the Sharks' roster and are expected to be in San Jose in time for Tuesday's game against Montreal. Okhotiuk, 22, has been added to the roster of the AHL's San Jose Barracuda. Mukhamadullin, 20, the top prospect the Sharks received in the trade, is playing in the KHL with Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 194 pounds, Mukhamadullin, selected 20th overall by the Devils in 2020, has 25 points in 67 games.