San Jose Sharks
Why they make sense: Heck if I know. But apparently, the Sharks had conversations with the Senators about Erik Karlsson. This likely had some other team helping facilitate the trade for them. Let’s see if we can come up with a package that makes sense.
Feasible trade: I had to get creative to make it happen, but a plausible trade is out there. First of all, the Sharks would take on Bobby Ryan’s contract to lessen the cost. San Jose would give their 2018 first-round pick, defenseman Justin Braun, forward Tomas Hertl, and 2017 first-round pick Joshua Norris to the Senators.
San Jose would then give up their 2019 first-round pick (this assumes they don’t re-sign Kane) and other picks to the Arizona Coyotes, who would proceed to take on Ryan’s contract. This is necessary because the Sharks don’t have any elite level prospects.
But dang it, this trade is worth it. Brent Burns and Karlsson on the same blueline would be the most fun thing in the NHL. The Sharks are a team interested in winning now. Burns is getting older. So is Joe Pavelski and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. Joe Thornton is going to have to retire at some point. Karlsson gives this motley crew a serious chance of bringing the Stanley Cup to San Jose.
Why it won’t happen: The Coyotes probably wouldn’t get involved in this. This is probably just a pipe dream. Way too many moving parts and too many assumptions. But you know what? Sometimes, it’s fun to dream.