The Chris Johnston Present: Chris Johnston and Julian McKenzie speaking in regards to the Pittsburgh Penguins and if defenseman Erik Karlsson might get traded. He could also be okay with a transfer, and the Penguins received’t need to give him away for nothing. Would there be a match with the Ottawa Senators?
** NHLRumors.com transcription
McKenzie: “I’m very curious, particularly about Eric Karlsson. We went in on some Pittsburgh Penguins on our final episode. Discuss Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust. What in regards to the market proper now for Erik Karlsson? How doubtless is it that he will get moved, and the way doubtless are the penguins to maneuver him proper now?”
Johnston: “Properly, he’s prepared to be moved. And so I feel that, that that helps, as a result of clearly there’s a no-movement clause, however it’s clearly solely to some locations. And the flip facet of this, I feel, Pittsburgh rightly views him as an asset, extra of an asset, the nearer is the top of his deal, proper? He’s down to 2 years on that contract, and so the contract itself turns into much less of an issue.
You already know, three years in the past, the contract was an issue. He’s nonetheless received 5 years left, however while you get nearer to the top, and clearly, within the rising cap surroundings I’m describing, and on prime of that, Pittsburgh does have a capability to eat much more cash on it than San Jose already is, you understand, I feel it turns into a reasonably movable object. It simply won’t be this summer time.
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And so, you understand, I don’t, don’t have a really feel for that. I nonetheless assume the strikes we mentioned earlier this week involving Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust are way more doubtless within the quick time period for Pittsburgh. Though these are two gamers as nicely, each have time period left on their offers.
So it’s, you understand, the Penguins are on this spot the place clearly Kyle Dubas is popping issues over getting youthful, however he’s not underneath explicit stress in any of these circumstances to need to do one thing. I feel he, he has the flexibility to sort of set a worth and look ahead to it. And if it’s not there, you understand, nicely, there’s a commerce deadline, there’s subsequent summer time, and all these varieties of issues.
So, you understand, I feel a Karlson commerce nonetheless is feasible. However you understand, the Penguins aren’t simply giving him away as a result of they, you understand, I feel nonetheless accurately see him as somebody who could make a distinction for a workforce.
I imply, it was such a quick window of time, however seeing him drop into that 4 Nations match stands out my thoughts. You already know, being within the constructing for this, for these video games, you understand, how, in the course of the whole lot, he was, proper? And he nonetheless does the factor that groups want by way of driving the puck up ice. Like he, you’re going to need to stay with the odd defensive mistake, and it’s often evident with Erik, proper?
However you understand, it’s important to, it’s important to weigh that in opposition to all the nice issues he does. And I nonetheless assume there’s numerous good in his recreation. And you understand, I’ve to imagine at this stage of his profession, as a result of he was in San Jose when that workforce went from contender to not, he’s arrived in Pittsburgh as they’re headed within the incorrect course. You already know, I’ve to assume he’s going to get antsy at a sure level right here and need to, you understand, as a lot as I feel Pittsburgh has been an incredible match for his household, and he’s like that facet of dwelling there. You already know, he’s solely received a lot time, you understand, remaining on his clock too, by way of making an attempt to compete for a Stanley Cup.
And so, you understand, I don’t sense that as an imminent piece of enterprise, however, you understand, I do assume the circumstances are going to align right here, that that’s going to see him traded in some unspecified time in the future, you understand, within the close to and nearish future.”
McKenzie: “There’s a fan base within the Atlantic Division that might like to have Eric Karlsson again. I do know that.”
Johnston: “You assume? I’m positive they’ve received me two minds about it. Are you, wouldn’t, wouldn’t there be some concern, you’re, you’re, you’re, normally, while you’re going for a previous wonderful factor, it doesn’t go that nicely, proper?
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And that may be for managers in baseball, I consider like Cito Gaston coming again to the Blue Jays or, you understand, it’s simply typically the second or third act with, you understand, doesn’t you understand, Lindy Ruff in Buffalo? I’m not even blaming Lindy, however, you understand, there’s numerous nostalgia wrapped up in the best way followers really feel about that and people choices. But it surely doesn’t normally faux nice issues.”
McKenzie: “That’s true. Michel Therrien and Claude Julian in Montreal.”
Johnston: “I’d say it’d be a cool story, as a result of clearly, the Senators are on an incredible trajectory. If that might ever work, it might be a cool story if he received again there at a time after they’re on the best way up once more.
As a result of actually, in case you look again after they traded him and Mark Stone, and you understand, that was after they, that was signaling that they had been on the best way down, proper? And so, might he catch the rushing prepare on the best way again up? I imply, it’d be fascinating to see.”
McKenzie: “Be very fascinating to see. I’m not saying there’s curiosity. It’s simply, only a enjoyable dialogue subject for everyone. Simply saying.”
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