Ben Shelley: Erik Karlsson named Norris Trophy finalist, Sharks sign two players

I'd be surprised if Karlsson didn't win it. I'd be equally surprised if they didn't at least try to trade him this summer.

He's the closest thing to Orr, since Orr.

he should have 3 already but Doughty had to have his "participation badge". I would encourage San Jose NOT to trade him. If you can have this guy in your home town so you can spend money to go watch him carry the puck up the ice? You're watching one of the best defensemen to ever play the game on a nightly basis. I was sad when the Sens traded him away. I'm sorry it's taken this long for him to get healthy in San Jose.

He's the closest thing to Orr, since Orr.

he should have 3 already but Doughty had to have his "participation badge". I would encourage San Jose NOT to trade him. If you can have this guy in your home town so you can spend money to go watch him carry the puck up the ice? You're watching one of the best defensemen to ever play the game on a nightly basis. I was sad when the Sens traded him away. I'm sorry it's taken this long for him to get healthy in San Jose.
- Octavarium

Spending money on a lottery team with a rebuild that will be hampered both by Karlsson's on ice contributions that degrade their lottery chances and the trade futures they could acquire. By your logic, rebuilding teams shouldn't trade quality players as they provide superior immediate entertainment to the fan base.

Spending money on a lottery team with a rebuild that will be hampered both by Karlsson's on ice contributions that degrade their lottery chances and the trade futures they could acquire. By your logic, rebuilding teams shouldn't trade quality players as they provide superior immediate entertainment to the fan base.
- jfkst1

So.
My logic has him on the same page as Ovechkin and Crosby at a different position. Both of those teams should be entering rebuilds. Will either of those teams trade those players away? Unlikely. I don't see any value in trying to move him with salary retained. He's NOT hampering a rebuild in any way. Rebuilds are cheap inexpensive rookie deals and AHL'ers filling spots for a few years. His on ice play certainly didn't translate into wins for the Sharks. All it did was showcase him and his talents. So you keep him and give the fans something to watch night in and night out. This is an entertainment business first. Winning second. If you don't think so I guess you can't see the advertising on the boards or the helmets or the jersies or or or.

So.
My logic has him on the same page as Ovechkin and Crosby at a different position. Both of those teams should be entering rebuilds. Will either of those teams trade those players away? Unlikely. I don't see any value in trying to move him with salary retained. He's NOT hampering a rebuild in any way. Rebuilds are cheap inexpensive rookie deals and AHL'ers filling spots for a few years. His on ice play certainly didn't translate into wins for the Sharks. All it did was showcase him and his talents. So you keep him and give the fans something to watch night in and night out. This is an entertainment business first. Winning second. If you don't think so I guess you can't see the advertising on the boards or the helmets or the jersies or or or.
- Octavarium

Pittsburgh has playoff aspirations still, and just missed it this year. Washington is in a similar boat in that management is going for playoffs.
SJ knows they're in a full re-build, and trading EK can open up space to gain assets for taking on bad contracts. The only way they sniff playoff contention is if they get the #1. If they don't, might as well move him and others if the deals are good enough.