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NHL Trade Rumors: Could Erik Karlsson and P.K. Subban be swapped?

By Brad Berreman

OTTAWA, ON - MARCH 24: Erik Karlsson #65 of the Ottawa Senators skates against the Carolina Hurricanes at Canadian Tire Centre on March 24, 2018 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - MARCH 24: Erik Karlsson #65 of the Ottawa Senators skates against the Carolina Hurricanes at Canadian Tire Centre on March 24, 2018 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Erik Karlsson and P.K. Subban are two of the best defensemen in the NHL, but is a mega-deal involving them looming?

As the Stanley Cup Final winds down, with the Washington Capitals heading toward a clinching scenario in Game 5 Thursday night, NHL offseason speculation is set to ramp up quickly. But TSN’s Frank Servalli has gotten a leg up on rumor season, with his first “Trade Bait” board of the summer, and a “hot rumor” he’s suggesting involves Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson and Nashville Predators defenseman P.K. Subban.

Karlsson is no stranger to trade speculation, with one year left on his contract as the Senators finished with the second-lowest point total in the league this season (67 points). But Subban’s situation is a little less cut-and-dry, even with Servalli pointing out the Predators will need to commit significant money to blue liners Roman Josi and Ryan Elllis in each of the next two summers.

Subban has four years left on his contract, via Spotrac.com, at a total cap hit of $36 million ($9 million each year). He also won’t turn 30 until next May, so one of the best defenseman in the league has some good years left in his career just like Karlsson does.

The top of market for defensemen may shift soon. Karlsson’s next contract, and a looming extension for Drew Doughty, both seem likely to average around $10 million per year. Subban will stay in that financial area among defenseman, but the total money commitment to him will not be what it will be to Karlsson going forward.

If it feels like we’ve been here before with Subban, it’s because we have. Just two years ago, the Montreal Canadiens traded him to the Predators for defenseman Shea Weber. That’s been a very regrettable deal for the Canadiens, to put in mildly. Subban has maintained a high level of play, while Weber only played 26 games this season due to a broken foot and is under contract through the 2025-26 season.

Next: 5 free agents the Canadiens can sign to get back to playoffs

Any speculation suggesting Subban could be on the move for the second time in three offseasons is very interesting. But as the Predators seek some cap room going forward, and possibly want to take on a one-year rental in Karlsson, another one-for-one swap of two big-named defenseman could be coming.

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