Hmmm, I don't think that will fly with Sens fans. I could see those 2 D-men coming back to Ottawa as active roster players in exchange for Karlsson, but multiple picks would have to be added by the Canes, at least a first and a second

At last, someone else with a realistic opinion on what a contract-year UFA is worth -- a breath of fresh air into the teeth of the "Karlsson is worth four firsts" crowd. But I think MountRoyal514 is partially right -- you'd have to add the 2020 second and third to get him out of Ottawa.

True, but I think more like a second and a third.

No way the centrepiece is Faulk. Ottawa doesn't do this without Bean or Pesce

You discount the fact that most of these trades only come after the team trading for that UFA has had a chance to talk to the player. Seldom does it happen where a pending UFA gets moved to a new team and a deal is not reached almost immediately (with the exception of deadline moves).

That's a wild take. Especially when there was a trade 2 days ago involving a player in the same contract situation as Karlsson, but who is extremely inferior to Karlsson in terms of player value and ability. Faulk+TVR is much, much worse than Tatar+Suzuki+2nd.

The similar deal would be Faulk+Necas+2nd. And then you add another good piece because Karlsson>>Pacioretty.

I agree wholeheartedly with everything you say after the first five words, which keep me from understanding the counter-argument you seem to be making.

You're probably right that Faulk+Necas+2nd is closer to the ideal, but I think the difference between Karlsson and Pacioretty has been factored into the exchange by Faulk>Tatar. I think the suggested trade is well within the parameters given the difference in the respective GM's.

What I am saying is, pending UFA or not, the player's value is traded for as though he were already signing an extension that is often discussed in the talks prior to the trade. The market for a player like Karlsson is still significant, because it operates under the assumption that the groundwork for an extension has been discussed and factored in between Karlsson and the GM trading for him.

In this specific trade scenario, I can just about guarantee that Justin Faulk is never removing Ottawa from his list of teams he is declining a trade to (15 team list, no chance he approves a trade to Ottawa). Even if he did permit that trade, this return needs to add at minimum a high end prospect and a 1st round pick (because, as I mentioned, for Carolina to even attempt this trade, it is safe to assume they have already spoken to Karlsson about that extension).

Karlsson's value, although maybe not 4 firsts, is still significantly higher than this trade offer, unless it comes with Bobby Ryan's contract as an anchor.

All points well taken, and well expressed.

{I meant to re-quote Jeff Law} So THAT explains Pacioretty's immediate extension!

Yes, and while its true that Karlsson is a UFA and that of course decreases his trade value a bit, he's also an elite player, one of the best (if not the best) at his position, well above just any UFA.