Karlsson says he hasn’t been asked to waive a full no-movement clause in his contract ahead of the March 7 deadline.

Karlsson, 34, has two years remaining beyond 2024-25 on an eight-year contract that pays him $11.5 million annually and has a full no-movement clause. The Penguins are paying $10 million of Karlsson's contract, as $1.5 million was retained by the San Jose Sharks in the blockbuster trade that sent Karlsson to Pittsburgh on Aug. 6, 2023.

Here are the obstacles to trading Karlsson: • He has a no-movement clause. Though many assume he would be willing to move on if asked, he still has the power here. The team hasn’t played well during his time in Pittsburgh, but he seems to genuinely like playing for the Penguins.

That means Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas cannot trade Karlsson without his approval, pending on the destination and his willingness to go there. While Karlsson acknowledged

Erik Karlsson still likes it in Pittsburgh. And he still sees his station as a defenseman with the Pittsburgh Penguins as providing a viable route to a Stanley Cup championship. But certainly not this season.

When the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired Erik Karlsson ahead of the 2023-24 season, it seemed like he would be a key piece of an organization looking for one more

On one end of the spectrum is Pittsburgh Penguins winger Rickard Rakell. He scored two goals, including a wonderful individual charge off the opening faceoff of the third period to tie the game.

Is it time for the Pittsburgh Penguins to realize Erik Karlsson hasn’t been a fit and it’s time to move on? At times he’s looked really good, and other times, out of place.