2023 Offseason

Can Grier finally unload EK65?

Who will it be at #4?

Can they surpass last year’s riveting free agency haul?

Would love to see it.

If there was any further proof needed of the NHL’s current salary-cap system making it difficult to move money, Erik Karlsson is providing it.

Likely to be named the Norris Trophy winner on June 26 in Nashville, there’s no guarantee the Sharks will be able to move Karlsson this summer despite the most concentrated intention on doing just that.

That’s what four more years on a contract at an $11.5 million average annual value does for you.

Surely, though, there’s a way to move a 101-point defenseman about to pick up his third Norris Trophy?

We’re about to find out.

Sharks management met with Karlsson’s camp, Newport Sports, recently at the combine in Buffalo, and both sides came out of it absolutely on the same page as far as wanting to seek a trade for the 33-year-old Swedish magic man.

Let’s put it this way: While the Sharks were listening on Karlsson before the March 3 trade deadline this season — and did speak to a few teams about him, including the Oilers — this is more of a proactive endeavor.

The Sharks really want to move him. And Karlsson really wants to be moved to a team where he’s got a chance to win.

Karlsson’s full no-movement clause means he’s got a say in where he lands, but my impression is he’s going to be fairly open-minded. He really wants a chance to win before his career is over, and it’s not coming with the rebuilding Sharks.

I’m told that a few teams have already kicked tires over the past week, so the process has commenced, but it’s been described to me as very much in the early stages.

Two key issues remain:

• The vast majority of contenders are to tight to the cap.

• How much money are the Sharks willing to eat on Karlsson’s contract? Or what kind of contracts would they take back to make it work?

I chatted with sources from a couple of front offices who felt Karlsson had to become something in the range of an $8 million to $8.5 million player to make it all work. But I suspect, at least at the outset, Sharks general manager Mike Grier would want to retain at most $2 million a year, which would make Karlsson a $9.5 million player.

So where’s the wiggle room? Can the Sharks get this done? Can heavyweight Newport help get it done? Newport has helped manufacture a lot of trades over the years, including agent Craig Oster helping get Matthew Tkachuk to Florida last summer.

But this is quite a scenario with the cap impediments — and, obviously, the concern that Karlsson at 33 starts to slide over the next four years.

Still, the absolute magic we saw this past season has got to tantalize someone. Right? We’ll know in a matter of time. What we do know now is we’ve got two motivated parties — the player’s camp and the organization. Now it just needs a third motivated party.

just like the fake Dodgers championship in 2020, this one doesn't count!

You had established players in the league that have been playing for years, therefore this doesn't count!

If GMMG manages to only retain 2m on ek65 and still get a late 1st rounder that be a big win

Draft pick bribery. Isn’t that how it always works.

NEW YORK (JUNE 21, 2023) – The National Hockey League (NHL) today announced a lineup of hockey stars, country music artists and entertainers that will serve as presenters for the 2023 NHL Awards™ on Monday, June 26. Hosted by country music superstar, Dierks Bentley, the celebration of the League’s best regular-season performances will be broadcast live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on TNT in the U.S. and Sportsnet and TVA Sports in Canada, at 7 p.m. CT / 8 p.m. ET. Tickets to the event are available for purchase here. (Watch the show trailer here.)

This year’s scheduled presenters include Hockey Hall of Famers Willie O’Ree and Mark Messier; Nashville Predators legend Pekka Rinne; country music artists Jessie James Decker, LOCASH, Dustin Lynch, Trevor Rosen (Old Dominion), Darius Rucker, Jelly Roll and Trisha Yearwood; two-time Olympic medalist Sarah Nurse; Predators General Manager David Poile; comedian Nate Bargatze; WWE Superstar Sheamus; and broadcasters David Amber, Caroline Cameron and Anson Carter.

A panel of broadcasters including TNT analysts Paul Bissonnette, Liam McHugh and Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman will be joined by special guests to provide live commentary from the stage.

Knox Bentley, a budding hockey player and the son of host Dierks Bentley, will serve as a special correspondent.

Bandleader John Bohlinger will entertain the audience throughout the show with his house band, JB and the Lady Byngs, and special appearances by musical artists, including Brett Kissel, MacKenzie Porter and Alana Springsteen.

Dean Smith, winner of the 2023 Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award presented by Hyundai in Canada, will help present the U.S. winner. Each award is given to an individual who – through the sport of hockey – has positively impacted his or her community, culture or society.

The 2023 NHL Awards broadcast will reveal the winners of 13 regular-season awards in a wide range of categories, including most valuable player (Hart Trophy), outstanding goaltender (Vezina Trophy), outstanding defenseman (Norris Trophy) and outstanding rookie (Calder Trophy); the Ted Lindsay Award, which is presented annually to the “most outstanding player” in the NHL as voted by fellow members of the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA), will also be awarded.

NHL Network™, NHL.com and NHL Social™ will provide comprehensive coverage of the 2023 NHL Awards™. Fans can follow the festivities across the NHL’s social media channels via the official hashtag #NHLAwards.

Congratulations to the Hershey Bears, your 2023 Calder Cup Champions!

I wonder if he's gonna show them how to detach their balls and put them in their wife's/girlfriends purse?

I disagree. You just described a Carl Hagelin. Patrick Marleau is a very good player, high above Carl Hagelin. You don't score 566 goals in the NHL with your description.

He wasn't dominant, and he wasn't what the Sharks and especially Sharks' fans hoped he would become, and there were 2nd overalls that made a bigger impact than him, but he was a very good player.

The Carolina Hurricanes have re-signed forward Jordan Staal to a four-year, $11.6 million contract extension with an AAV of $2.9 million.

Been a while since this board as seen a Marleau debate.

Boo on Torey Krug for not waiving his NMC and giving us more trades.