Erik Karlsson had no worries this offseason
Seth Rorabaugh of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson had 11 goals and 42 assists in 82 games last season, but missteps led to many goals against. It hasn’t been a smooth two years in Pittsburgh. There was a lot of speculation this offseason that he could be treated.
Karlsson has a full no-movement clause, so any destination would have to be approved by him. It was a quiet and relaxing summer for Karlsson back in Sweden, despite all the speculation in North America.
“If it would have changed along the way, it would have,” Karlsson said. “But… that didn’t happen. For me it was a very quiet summer. I’m sure there was a lot of rumblings. I’m sure there were some discussions here and there, which is quite normal. But not to the level on my part that I had to worry or take into account.”
Anton Lundell will be a key factor for the Florida Panthers this season
The Montreal Canadiens look to build more salary cap space while eyeing a top-six center
Marco D’Amico of RG Media: The NHL season has just started and the Montreal Canadiens are already building salary cap space by opening with a 22-man roster. The Canadiens waived Sammy Blais and his $775,000 contract, and he was claimed by the Toronto Maple Leafs. That $775,000 cap is worth $2.7 million at the March 6 trade deadline.
They currently have $5.53 million in cap space, which would give them about $8.5 million at the December/Christmas roster freeze (usually around the 20th through 28th). The Canadiens are looking for a top-six center. A source:
“They are positioning themselves to be ready to pounce on a trade target that becomes available at any time this season. Montreal is waiting for the market to explode. They have the trade assets, they needed the cap flexibility, and now they have it. It’s now a matter of the right opportunity presenting itself.”
NHL Rumors: The Montreal Canadiens and Lane Hutson could be close to money, but…
Teams may want to go a step further in moving players to improve their chances of hitting the 2026 NHL draft lottery and Gavin McKenna. League sources say the Canadiens are looking at December as the start of the trade season.
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