Erik Karlsson with the Canadiens? A trade possibility that was just raised on TVA Sports with one big condition

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MarcO
November 29, 2022 (7:56 PM)

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First of all, we would like to remind you that the following statements do not come from us, but we are only reporting what was said on TVA Sports.

First, the excellent Tony Marinaro pointed out that the Montreal Canadiens are in dire need of 1) an impact defenseman and 2) a right-handed defenseman capable of playing big minutes.

He then made a connection with a player who is playing tonight at the Bell Centre and who is clearly available on the trade market.

Erik Karlsson traded to Montreal Canadiens: a realistic scenario?

Marinaro believes that Karlsson could be of interest to Kent Hughes, should the team decide to be competitive in the short term.

Karlsson, 32, already has a very solid 32 points (11 goals) in 24 games this season, a ridiculously high production especially for a defenseman.

Karlsson: interest in Kent Hughes?

Recall that Karlsson recently admitted that he would absolutely be open to coming back to play in Canada, but that said, he never mentioned Montreal specifically.

"Now imagine Karlsson's game vision, serving Suzuki and Caufield, on the power play, in transition. He's made to play under Martin St. Louis," Marinaro muses.

It's true that it would be sensational, but we doubt the feasibility of this scenario, especially given the NHL salary cap.

Karlsson makes $11.5 million a year through 2027. The Sharks could hold back half of his salary, but still!

Marinaro continued:

"We definitely need a big contract to go the other way. I immediately think of Gallagher," who is also under contract until 2027. Obviously, general manager Mike Grier would ask for much more than the Tricolore's fiery forward.

We love the idea, but well, it seems unrealistic at the moment, in all respect, simply because precisely, the CH does not want to be competitive in the short term.

An acquisition this offseason would make more sense, but then again...

"I'm looking at Guhle's training camp in 2022, and in my book we're going to see the same thing from Logan Mailloux in 2023. He is there our right-handed mobile defenseman," adds for his part Jean-Charles Lajoie.

And you, do you think a trade involving Erik Karlsson and Brendan Gallagher (++) is realistic and possible?

Definitely an entertaining and interesting discussion. See it in full, before you judge:

Excerpts from the TVA Sports article.