Report: Penguins will not trade Erik Karlsson this offseason

It seems that Erik Karlsson will remain with the Pittsburgh Penguins, at least to start next season.

According to Pierre LeBrun, Pittsburgh general manager Kyle Dubas has no plans of trading the veteran defenseman over the offseason.

Karlsson, 35, has 11 goals and 43 assists for 54 points in 65 games played this season. He is in the second-to-last season of an eight-year, $92 million contract, and is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after next season.

On Tuesday, LeBrun appeared on TSN and spoke about Dubas’ intentions regarding Karlsson this upcoming offseason.

“Look at the way he’s playing. I mean, it’s Erik Karlsson of old. There will be serious interest in Erik Karlsson this summer,” LeBrun said. “Having said that, I will tell you that I chatted with Penguins GM Kyle Dubas, who is not happy to have Karlsson’s name out there in terms of trade chatter. He is adamant that Karlsson has been such a great player for them this year, that he views Karlsson as a guy that they will continue to want to retool and put young players around, that he doesn’t see himself wanting to trade him this summer. He wanted to be clear about that with me and to spread the word, I guess, that he doesn’t view Erik Karlsson as a trade chip this summer.”

Pittsburgh acquired Karlsson ahead of the 2023-24 season from the San Jose Sharks in a three-team trade that also involved the Montreal Canadiens. While he’s no longer the dominant offensive force he was in his prime, he has put up very good production as a Penguin, notching 56 and 53 points respectively in his first two seasons with Pittsburgh.

With 86 points through 70 games, the Penguins are one of several teams vying for a playoff spot in the tightly contested Eastern Conference.

Pittsburgh will finish up a three-game homestand against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday.