NHL Trade Rumors: How every team could trade for Erik Karlsson

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 27: {L-R} John Klingberg #3 of the Dallas Stars and Erik Karlsson #65 of the Ottawa Senators warm-up prior to the 2018 GEICO NHL All-Star Skills Competition at Amalie Arena on January 27, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 27: {L-R} John Klingberg #3 of the Dallas Stars and Erik Karlsson #65 of the Ottawa Senators warm-up prior to the 2018 GEICO NHL All-Star Skills Competition at Amalie Arena on January 27, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
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Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Montreal Canadiens

Why they make sense: This might come as a huge surprise, but elite right-handed defenseman are very hard to come by. The Canadiens found this out the hard way when they traded P.K. Subban for Shea Weber. Also, imagine arguably the NHL’s best player when healthy in the NHL’s top market. That’s a dream.

Plausible trade: Weber could be included in this scenario. However, he’s injured and, frankly, he’s old. No team should be interested in trading for Weber after his recent foot surgery, even with 50 percent retained salary. Maybe down the line, his eventual low salary would make him perfect for a team like the Senators. But certainly not now.

Alex Galchenyuk makes sense for Ottawa. They need guys who can create offense and Chucky can do that. At least one of Noah Juulsen and Victor Mete would have to be included because those are the only two viable young defensemen for the Habs. Throw in 2017 first round pick Ryan Poehling and the Senators might do it. Especially if the Canadiens can somehow fit Bobby Ryan in, which is surprisingly plausible.

Why it won’t happen: Marc Bergevin hates mobile right-handed defensemen who wear silly clothes.