So the other day was a little bit of a downer for a number of people in regards to the Penguins roster changes on free agency day. It seemed lacking and that is because it was. Let's shift to a more positive tone and fire up the Erik Karlsson to Pittsburgh speculation once again.
Woah. @FriedgeHNIC on 32 Thoughts.“At the first round on Wednesday, someone told me ‘look into it, Karlsson to Pittsburgh. It’s getting done.’… Said, “I think Dubas is far from done remaking this roster. If he can get Karlsson, he will.…
— Adam Crowley (@_adamcrowley) July 3, 2023
It has already been confirmed the Penguins have brought in a third team in these discussions so the wheels are in motion. You just have to tap it in, tap, tap, taperoo.
I think there was a move today that is encouraging towards a Karlsson trade and I'll explain
The Penguins have signed defenseman Will Butcher to a one-year contract.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) July 4, 2023
The two-way contract runs through the 2023.24 season and carries an average annual value of $775,000 at the NHL level.
Will Butcher adds to the left side defensive depth in the organization. I think Ty Smith is going to get the first crack at being the bottom pairing left defenseman. Where is Pierre-Olivier Joseph? I think he's going to be thrown in to a blockbuster deal to the third team eating salary for the Karlsson trade to go down. Pettersson, Graves, Smith, Butcher makes for a normal NHL depth chart.
I think this one is going to go down. As I said the other day, it kinda has to. These next few years need to be fun whatever that is. Erik Karlsson is probably one of the most fun thing this team could do. This would certainly wash away some of the negativity I had Saturday and crank up the excitement. Who wouldn't want to see Karlsson with the Penguins legends? It would be a really nice way to close this era out.
The fireworks tomorrow might not be your neighbor Dale almost blowing his hand off. It might be one of the cooler trades in Penguins history.
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For the first time in 11 and a half months there is a new podcast
🚨 NEW PODCAST 🚨
— Ryan Wilson (@GunnerStaal) July 3, 2023
Myself and @walshy66 are back after 11 and a half months to break down the Penguins offseason so far https://t.co/xPkPmqkAE7 pic.twitter.com/UxIOfldTg8
Thanks for reading!