NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun says Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas has no plans to trade Erik Karlsson despite growing speculations

Pittsburgh Penguins star Erik Karlsson's immediate future appears firmly tied to the team, with general manager Kyle Dubas reportedly clearing the air that he has no intention of moving the veteran defenseman in the upcoming off-season.

As per reports, trade rumors surrounding Karlsson had been circulating due to his contract and the Penguins’ long-term roster planning. However, Dubas indicated that the organization still values Karlsson’s role and has no intention of moving him during the offseason.

Meanwhile, TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun reported that Dubas is not very happy to see Karlsson's name getting discussed in recent trade chatter and made it clear that he does not view the 35-year-old as a trade candidate this summer. As for his NHL performance, Karlsson has 11 goals and 54 points in 65 games this season. He is believed to be in his best form since joining Pittsburgh from the San Jose Sharks in 2023.

Penguins GM Kyle Dubas signals Erik Karlsson to stay with the Penguins amid recent trade chatter

Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas has made it clear that the team is not planning to trade star defenseman Erik Karlsson this summer, despite ongoing trade chatter due to his contract and the Penguins' long-term roster planning. According to TSN, Karlsson will remain signed through the next year at a cap hit of $10 million, and he is owed a $6 million signing bonus on July 1 of this year and just $1.5 million in remaining salary beyond that.

Explaining about the trade situation, Pierre LeBrun stated, “Look at the way he’s playing. I mean, it’s Erik Karlsson of old. There will be serious interest in Erik Karlsson this summer.”

He further stated the general manager is very unhappy with the recent growing trade speculations. The NHL Insider stated, “I will tell you that I chatted with Penguins GM Kyle Dubas, who is not happy to have Karlsson’s name out there in terms of trade chatter."


"He is adamant that Karlsson has been such a great player for them this year that he views Karlsson as a guy that they will continue to want to retool and put young players around, that he doesn’t see himself wanting to trade him this summer," he added.

LeBrun has confirmed with his statement that Erik Karlsson will not be traded this summer by the Penguins. “He wanted to be clear about that with me and to spread the word, I guess, that he doesn’t view Erik Karlsson as a trade chip this summer.”

This confirmation was necessary because Karlsson was once the subject of trade speculation last summer. However, as the NHL playoffs are around, the Penguins are going forward with Karlsson, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang, as they are pushing to make the playoffs this season for the first time since 2022.