Canadiens, Penguins & Sharks Pull Off 3-Way Blockbuster Trade

With 65 days left before the start of the 2023-24 NHL season, it made sense for Erik Karlsson to be in the news. The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired Norris-trophy winning defenseman Erik Karlsson from the San Jose Sharks, with the Montreal Canadiens also getting involved.

Pittsburgh and San Jose are completing an Erik Karlsson trade. Third team is Montreal

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) August 6, 2023

Full trade details:

To #LetsGoPens: Erik Karlsson, SJS 2026 3rd Rd Pick, Dillon Hamaliuk, Rem Pitlick To #GoHabsGo: Jeff Petry, Casey DeSmith, Nathan Legare, PIT 2025 2nd Rd Pick To #sjsharks: PIT 2024 1st Rd Pick, Mikael Granlund, Mike Hoffman, Jan Rutta

TRADE ALERT:
To PIT: Erik Karlsson, Rem Pitlick, Hamaliuk and San Jose's 2026 third-round draft pick.
TO SJ: Pittsburgh's 2024 first-round draft pick, Granlund, Rutta and Hoffman.
TO MTL: acquires Pittsburgh's 2025 second-round draft pick, Jeff Petry, Casey DeSmith, Legare.

— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) August 6, 2023

Erik Karlsson, traded to PIT, is an elite offensive defenceman coming off one of the greatest offensive seasons we've ever seen from a blueliner. Amazing passer, excellent shot. Also an extremely poor defender who sacrifices a lot to make that offence happen. #LetsGoPens pic.twitter.com/XbShgRF1tk

— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) August 6, 2023

The Sharks are retaining only $1.5 million of Karlsson's salary for the next four seasons. Meanwhile the Penguins are retaining 25% of Petry's $6.25-million salary the next two seasons. 

Photo credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports