Sharks' Karlsson Comments on Ongoing Trade Rumors

San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson has turned back the clock this season and is now once again one of the most dominant offensive defensemen in the NHL. Karlsson has 34 points in his first 28 games this season; last season he finished with 35 points total. There's been a ton of trade rumors surrounding the Sharks blueliner and recently he was a guest on 32 Thoughts the podcast, with Jeff Marek and Elliotte Freidman and was asked about his future in San Jose.

The 32-year-old Karlsson had this response when asked about all of the trade chatter:

I want to win. That’s why I started playing this sport when I was a little kid, I used to cry after every loss. I don’t do that anymore, but that’s what I want. I hope to at least have a chance at it again. Hopefully, it’s here.

The Sharks have struggled this season, sitting with an 8-16-4 record. Sharks GM Mike Grier started the rebuild last summer by dealing Brent Burns to the Carolina Hurricanes and it certainly feels like Karlsson could be next, as San Jose is expected to continue to rebuild and won't be winning any Stanley Cups anytime soon.

Karlsson has a full no-movement clause and will control his own destiny. The veteran defender has four more seasons left on his deal at $11.5 million per season and the Sharks will most certainly have to retain some of his contract if they want any deal to materialize.