Why is this a debate? Oilers can’t afford Karlsson even at his current cap hit

Saying he will pick a u.s team cause the media is scary isnt a valid point

Good for you to get the discussion going. Your post basically asks TWO questions: (1) would Karlsson likely sign in Edmonton?, and (2) if so, what is a reasonable price for the Oilers to pay for him? Most of the responses address only the first one. I'm in agreement with the commenters that EK is only likely to go to an American team and probably one in a no-state-tax state (Florida, Texas, Nevada). Florida is out as a personal matter (as I know all too well -- I accidentally traded him there earlier this summer and BOY did I hear about it) so you're looking at Tampa, Dallas and Las Vegas. One of the problems is his presumed $4.5M raise next year, so cap-close teams have a problem. As far as the second question goes, I think Ottawa fans are going to be disappointed at the return if/when EK gets traded. Edmonton would like to part with Russell or Sekera if only to lessen the cap problem but both have NTC's. So Edmonton is left offering a package like a first and second and a defense prospect like Persson or Mantha and a wing prospect like one of the three Russians -- a package which, in my opinion, is what EK is worth in this market.

I said that is what I think, it is my opinion. And it is a valid point that having to deal with (not just him but his wife) having to deal with the media would weight into any decision of where he would sign. Like I said you are kidding yourself if you dont think this is discussed

Im not disagreeing man im just not kidding myself when i say i think there are bigger factors than just that that they are discussing thats what im saying.

The team, the money, the years of contract security, the taxes, the quality of life living in that city, the media attention privacy, etc etc. All of this would be considered. When Iginla signed in Colorado all that came into play but what sold him was the minor hockey programs for his kids to play.

Thats was my point with Karlsson in Edmonton, I just dont see him wanting to have to deal with everything that is attached with playing in another Canadian market that is not Ottawa

Hey thank you no you are right the question is so much deeper than just one answer I think I f edmonton wanted karlsson the issue would have to be trading RNH or drais which could hurt the team a lot but I think they would be safe ay center and there wings have a bright future cause drais spent half the season on mcdavids wing anyways so I would argue drias could be the key but he is tough to part with also its a tough one im excited to hear youre answers.

The salary cap is not an issue this year (just put Sekera on LTIR), but you should see where you are by running a projection for next year assuming Karlsson's hit is $11M. That doesn't automatically make a Draisaitl or Nugent-Hopkins trade necessary, but it does create problems. If you can't unload Russell, then thinking about trading RNH makes sense. When I suggested (in a comment on a Carolina post) RNH for Pesce, Teravainen, McKeown and Nedeljkovic, I got one snarky reply asking whether I was RNH's agent or mother.