Latest Karlsson trade rumour could make his potential trade one of the most unique in NHL history

BarDown Staff

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As TradeCentre approaches, all eyes are on the Ottawa Senators and Erik Karlsson.

Only mentioned it because I see some people are making a “thing” of it, which is fine. I’m just not entirely sure EK was doing anything other than talking to TB trainers, who I presume he saw at All-Star weekend.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 23, 2018

One of the best players in the NHL has been involved in trade rumours for quite some time and now that the deadline is days away, the rumours are heating up to say the least.

It goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway, that further complicates already complicated situation, especially as it relates to doing a deal by Monday’s 3 pm ET deadline. The Ryan Factor would either take out a team like TB or require getting a 3rd team involved. Not easy.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 23, 2018

As I’ve said from the outset, I still think it’s less likely than more likely that EK is traded by Monday’s deadline but, at this point anyway, the door is by no means entirely closed on trading him by Monday. GM Pierre Dorion and his staff are fully engaged in the process.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 23, 2018

Some cynics might suggest this is all a lot of talk about something that is less likely than more likely to happen. Fair enough, as long as you conveniently ignore the following:
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 23, 2018

1. Karlsson is arguably NHL’s top defenceman and top five, if not top three, players in the game. 2. The Senators are actively/seriously engaged in talks to trade him. 3. Even if it doesn’t happen by Monday, it may very well occur in the off-season. In any case, unique situation.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 23, 2018

As Bob McKenzie explained on Twitter, this situation is incredible unique and if a trade does happen, it's going to be massive.

On Friday, fans got some insight on just how huge a deal it could be in the form of a couple of rumours.

Hearing that third teams with cap space are now getting involved in Erik Karlsson trade talks to help facilitate a potential trade. Makes sense, especially if Bobby Ryan contract is involved and contenders don't have room for it.
— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) February 23, 2018

Per sources: Ottawa in serious discussions to engage third and fourth-party teams to further develop an Erik Karlsson trade. Working to include Bobby Ryan.
— Travis Yost (@travisyost) February 23, 2018

The sense is that this trade could look absolutely massive if it happens before the Monday deadline. Tampa Bay is working Ottawa extremely hard and has been for three days now.
— Travis Yost (@travisyost) February 23, 2018

Three-team trades don't happen often and four-team deals are unheard of. Furthermore, what would make this deal one of the most unique in NHL history (aside from the number of teams) is that it involves arguably the best defenceman in hockey in the salary cap era.

Safe to say if this rumoured deal were to happen, it would probably break the internet and if a trade of that magnitude does happen, we hope the teams save it for TradeCentre.

Until then, the Senators are keeping everyone on their toes by dealing some other big names.

#TradeCentre: According to Darren Dreger, the Sens have traded Derick Brassard to the Penguins for Filip Gustavsson, Ian Cole and a 2018 1st-Round Pick.

A post shared by TSN (@tsn_official) on Feb 23, 2018 at 11:47am PST