That's a lot of assets to give up for one year of Karlsson, especially if Sprong starts contributing at the NHL level this year. Don't think there is any way they can re-sign Karlsson after this year unless they don't resign/trade Guentzel. I think Ottawa would accept the trade, but this seems to dramatically shrink Pittsburgh's championship window to go all-in this year.

Without the Schultz cap hit and with Guentzel taking a bridge deal between 5-6 million (just pretend that Guentzel is getting Schultz's cap space), there should be enough space to sign Karlsson. This means the 4th line is going to be pretty cheap, but it's certainly possible. The cap should go up a few million (lets say 3). Brassard, Sheahan, and Hagelin all have expiring deals for a total of $8.1 million. Bellerive could potentially play 3rd line center. Blueger is said to be ready to center the fourth line already. ZAR can take the wing on the 3rd or 4th line. This leaves 10-11 million to sign Karlsson.

And of course, other moves could be made to clear space.

3 million seems like a pretty optimistic cap increase and I would be shocked if Bellerive was ready to make the leap to the NHL full-time in 19-20.

Brassard / Sheahan / Hagelin cap hits total 9.1million, but you're not going to be able to replace all of them with minimum salary players. Even if the cap jumps 3 million AND you get Guentzel for 5.5 AND Bellerive is ready... Karlsson is going to want 10.5-11 million, which leaves you maybe a million in cap space to replace Hagelin, and remember that ZAR will be due a raise as well. You're now completely out of cap space. Technically possible, but what if the cap only goes up 2 million?

It increased by 4.5 last year. 3 isn’t crazy. But like I said, there are other moves that can be made to clear cap space. Kessel could be moved. And Oleksiak or Maatta or Johnson could as well, if Addison is ready or Rikola proves to be an NHL talent, for example. Rust would also be a player to could fetch a good return.


Ah yes, 9.1. Hagelin is a good player. But the difference between having a Hagelin quality player in the lineup and a minimum salary free agent or AHL call up is minimal compared to the difference between having Karlsson and not having him. ZAR should still be pretty cheap. Simon is there.

If you have a chance to sign the best defenseman in the league and put him with a core of Crosby, Malkin, Murray, Guentzel, Dumoulin, and Letang, you do what you have to do to get it done.