Erik Karlsson Traded to Pittsburgh Penguins

The San Jose Sharks have traded defenseman Erik Karlsson to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The details of the trade:

San Jose Sharks receive:

F. Mikael Granlund (PIT)

F. Mike Hoffman (MTL)

D. Jan Rutta (PIT)

2024 First-Round pick from Pittsburgh (top 10 protected)

Pittsburgh Penguins receive:

D. Erik Karlsson (SJS)

F. Dillion Hamaliuk (SJS)

F. Rem Pitlick (MTL)

2026 Third-Round pick from San Jose

Montreal Canadiens receive:

D. Jeff Petry (PIT)

G. Casey DeSmith (PIT)

F. Nathan Legare (PIT)

2025 Second-Round pick from Pittsburgh

The Sharks will retain $1.5 million of Erik Karlsson’s $11.5 million contract for the next four seasons.

The Penguins will retain $1,562,500 of Petry’s contract for the next two seasons.

Erik Karlsson put up a historic offensive season last year, becoming the first defenseman with over 100 points since Brian Leetch. Karlsson’s 101 points helped him claim his third James Norris Trophy of his career.

The Sharks can now fully focus on their rebuild and allow Karlsson to try and win a Stanley Cup with the Penguins while adding another pick to their draft arsenal. Most of the pieces they received back will become future trade assets for the Sharks as Hoffman enters the last year of his deal, and Granlund and Rutta have two more years left on theirs.

The Canadiens add Casey DeSmith, who has looked good for most of his career but took a step back last season, and a second-round pick as they continue their rebuild.

For the Penguins, the hope is that Karlsson can be the final piece to put them as they look to put a cap on the Sidney Crosby era with one more championship.