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

ByDave Stevenson|
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 Francois Laplante/NHLI via Getty Images
Photo by Francois Laplante/NHLI via Getty Images

New Jersey Devils

Why they make sense: The New Jersey Devils might be the most plausible suitor for Erik Karlsson. They have all the things you want to see in a Karlsson suitor. Contender? Close enough, check. Cap space for Karlsson? Check. Cap space for Bobby Ryan? You bet. The Devils also really need to upgrade their blue line and there’s no better way for them to do that than by trading for Karlsson.

Feasible trade: Ottawa probably shouldn’t try to lessen their return for number 65 by trading him with Ryan. But I suppose that’s why I’m not an NHL general manager. The Devils are flush with picks and have enough young players and prospects to make this work.

Sadly, Damon Severson is probably going to have to go in this trade. He’s been a darn good defenseman for the Devils. But if you’re getting Karlsson, Severson is an afterthought. The Devils have all of the first round picks for a while, so the options there are plentiful. Throw in a young prospect like Michael McLeod or John Quenneville and you’ve got something.

Why it won’t happen: I’ve got nothing. This is a perfect fit for Karlsson if the Senators want to include Ryan’s terrible contract in the deal as well.

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