Karlsson has no ankle left and is already on the decline health wise, I hope he goes elsewhere personally!
Shaw can get you a lot more and with the cap room they have left for NOT signing Karlsson, they can make a better move.

Karlsson's health problems are exaggerated.

Last 3 years:
Karlsson: 201 regular season games and 38 playoff games. Missed 45 games.
Weber: 160 regular season games and 6 playoff games. Missed 84 games.

If it really becomes an issue, we can abuse LTIR like Toronto does.

Either way, you simply do not pass up signing literally elite talent. Like top 5 defenceman in the league talent. You pay whatever it takes.

Weber gets <$8M, not $11M.

I used $11M to show that you can overpay, not that you should actually sign him for that.

Weber sign 8M 8years ago... today He would cost over than 10+ M AAV... and don't forget Weber was paid 14M per year to start with... yes 14M!
So Take Karlsson29y.o. with a 7year contract like this= 10,85M AAV
2019= 14M
2020= 14M
2021= 14M
2022= 10M
2023= 10M
2024= 7M
2025= 7M

Add this... In 2 years... you can trade Weber to all bottom team that will need is contract to reach the floor... because physically he will cost 1M/y with a AVV at 8M.

The annual cash outlay doesn't matter. If Weber were being paid $10M or more, the Habs would not have traded Subban for him. They'd still have traded Subban but likely for a different kind of take.

There's a number at which trading away Petry and taking EK makes sense. I am not sure that number is $10M or more.

It does matter... before you could sign a guy for 14 years...and the last 4 years at 1M/y to reduce the AAV... now you can't.
But the player will still want is pay... like Price who is making 15M this year... it does added value

I agree with you there so sign Duchene or Panarin and pay for offensive talent!