Wouldn't have to give up that much to land Karlsson.... The Pens would be happy just to unload his cap hit. Think of why Staios got absolutely nothing for Tarasenko

It would be a more even trade if it were Karlsson at 50% which is 5M retained making Chych effectively cost 9.6 vs 4.6 next year [4k savings over EK] but a problem the year after if 87 wants to stay

That's not even at all. It's an absurdly stupid move for PIT team to make. Trade for a one year rental in a rebuild while eating $15m in dead money over three years. Start adding futures for that one.

In this trade, PIT gets a younger, better player at a cheaper cap rate for next year that is very tradable at the deadline or resignable to a long term deal. The retention is the cost of having an old, overpaid player who is worth a 3x5M, not 3x8M or 3x6M.

Considering PIT didn't make playoffs this year or last, the team needs to go big for 87 or watch him lead a bad team into his anti-climactic retirement.

It's very easy for fans to make these claims because we have no obligation to balance the books. Reality isn't so convenient. Look at how PIT got Karlsson in the first place; they were the only team that could afford his contract with minor retention. FSG has deeper pockets than SJ ownership, but you're utterly delusional if you think they are trading him at 50% for a one year rental. That's "get fired quickly" material if ownership even approves it at all. Karlsson at 50% retained is excellent value, and you know that or you wouldn't have him in the top pairing either BTW. At minimum it would require an additional 2026 1st and even that is questionable value for Dubas that probably only looks good if OTT makes it unprotected and the pick ends up in the top 15.

lol okay dude, whatever you say

just in case you missed it...

In this trade, PIT gets the younger, better player at a cheaper cap rate for next year that is very tradable at the deadline or resignable to a long term deal. The retention is the cost of having an old, overpaid player who is worth a 3x5M on the FA market.

EK at 3x5M is still a top pair dman on most teams

JC is worth a 1st + 2nd at next year's TDL if PIT falls apart... again

Getting a top 4 RHD for three years at $5m is worth MORE than a 1st and 2nd at the deadline. Also, the $15m in dead money is a massive commitment from ownership that requires a justifiably strong return. It's not monopoly money. I would think an OTT fan that dealt with Melynk would understand that.

As much as I love watching SENs fans loudly proclaim how great their team is in off season only to fall on their face every year … pretty hard to go from last in division (27th overall) to playoffs in one year. Especially when all the teams immediately above you should / will be better next year too.

That squad ain’t making the playoffs. Goaltending is sub-standard , 5-6-7 D needs to change , ok to keep JBD as 7th dman. Kessel ain’t helping team after not playing this year. They need more truculence, grinders , 200 foot players.

This season isn't even over yet, can we please hit pause on talking playoffs until AT LEAST November 2024? My therapist might have helped me recover from this abysmal season by then.

You can't run it back with Korpi and Forsberg and then realistically ask if we can make the playoffs. Furthermore, the only changes in this post from the squad used this year is Phil Kessel, Zack Ostapchuk, and Erik Karlsson. Those aren't the difference makers, regardless of how good Ostapchuk looked against PIT the other day.

Also, as was said PIT isn't retaining so much dead cap for a potential rental; especially as the cap is FINALLY about the rise again. They're an attractive UFA market and won't want to tie up so much cap for so long, nor burn a retention slot for 3 years. That's on top of the real world cost, which @jfkst1 is 100% right about.

not with EK they dont.

OTT declines PIT trade.