$5.7Mcap space after
All proposalsWSH / PIT
Erik Karlsson Coming to Wash?
cw_user_wwxusgnbNov 4, 2026
30%
chance it happens
Model says PIT says no.
Vote below to see if readers agree.
$3.88Mcap space after
Who says no?
1 voteAnalysis
Pittsburgh is likely to pass: even with Karlsson’s no-move clause limiting buyers, a second-round pick does not make up for taking on Desharnais’s long contract while retaining salary. Washington could justify the rental at this price, but as a bubble team it would still be betting that Karlsson’s offense helps enough to warrant spending the pick.
Assets
- 2027 2nd round pick
Why the model says so
Washington gets Karlsson at a $5.75 million cap hit and, under the assumed roster situation, moves two defensemen without healthy-roster slots. The second-round pick is a real cost for a bubble team buying a rental.
Pittsburgh gets a second-round pick and Liljegren, but Desharnais’s $4.2 million cap hit for four seasons is a heavy commitment for an injured depth defenseman. Karlsson’s no-move clause weakens Pittsburgh’s leverage, but this return still looks light.
Context provided by the author
With ramus Sandin soon coming off the IR for the caps, Vincent and Liliegren don't have a slot on the capitals healthy roster with Jack St Ivany being a perfect pair with Cole Hutson. Erik Karlsson would be a rental maybe helping the Capitals with thier terrible defense so far.
The deal
Washington Capitals acquire Erik Karlsson (50% retained) from the Pittsburgh Penguins for Vincent Desharnais, Timothy Liljegren and a 2027 2nd-round pick (WSH).
Team by team
WSH
Washington gets a power-play driver in Karlsson, who had 66 points last season and has 16 in 15 games this season. Assuming Sandin returns soon and Desharnais and Liljegren have no place on the healthy roster, the swap clears two right-shot defensemen for one; Karlsson’s $5.75 million acquired cap hit is $1.7 million less than their combined $7.45 million, though he is a 36-year-old rental.
PIT
Pittsburgh gets Washington’s second-round pick and two defensemen, but neither is a close replacement for Karlsson’s offense. Liljegren is 27 and carries a $3.25 million cap hit through next season; Desharnais is a strong defensive depth option on injured reserve, but his $4.2 million cap hit runs three more years after this one. Pittsburgh also keeps $5.75 million of Karlsson’s cap hit for this season.