The Canucks are reportedly in on Erik Karlsson

It seemed inevitable that Erik Karlsson would have a new home by now. It’s late August, training camp is right around the corner, and Karlsson is still a member of the Ottawa Senators. Then Elliotte Friedman dropped this bomb. Apparently the trade talks surrounding Erik Karlsson have heated up in the past few days. One of the teams asking about him, shockingly, is the Vancouver Canucks.

https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1032296716014219264

The Canucks finished the 2017-18 season with just 73 points, good for second-last in the Western Conference ahead of only the Arizona Coyotes. Karlsson is set to become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career at the end of the season.

This would certainly be a strange fit given the fact the Canucks aren’t really in a spot to contend this season and Karlsson could walk after just one year with the team. The Canucks have built an excellent group of prospects over the past few years through the draft with Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes, and Adam Gaudette.

It’s difficult to imagine them wanting to deal from that group for potentially just one year of Karlsson, but perhaps the Canucks could acquire the former Norris Trophy winner for less if they’re willing to take on Bobby Ryan’s contract in the deal. Ryan is signed for four more years at $7.25 million annually. 

More information on this rumour can be found at Canucks Army.