Which NHL teams might trade for Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson? Here are three teams that make sense to make a move for the offensive defenseman.

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.

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

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.

The Penguins have Tristan Jarry back on their roster after making a decision on the goalie ahead of the 2025 NHL trade deadline.

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.