The Penguins could retain as much as half of Erik Karlsson's cap hit to facilitate a trade, according to The Fourth Period.
NHL Trade Rumors noted Pittsburgh has two salary retention slots available, and any retention would only cover the rest of this season.
The outlet also pegged the Penguins' cap space at $9 million.
Earlier Sunday, Pittsburgh was reported to be ready to trade a veteran forward.
If the Penguins are already shopping veterans in October, the Karlsson conversation isn't hypothetical anymore.
It's like a homeowner who has already boxed up the garage. The sign isn't on the lawn yet, but the whole street knows what's coming.
Karlsson has 9 assists in nine games but is still looking for his first goal.
The Maple Leafs, Rangers, Stars, Bruins, Sharks and Canucks could be teams to watch if Pittsburgh makes Karlsson available. Retaining a significant portion of his salary could make a deal more manageable and potentially widen the market.
These are speculative fits, however, and any move would still depend on the asking price and Karlsson agreeing to waive his no-movement clause.
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Penguins could retain 50% of Erik Karlsson's cap hit in potential trade
He carries an $11,500,000 cap hit in the final year of his deal.
Three of his assists have come on the power play, and he sits at -3.
He's set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season, and the report said Pittsburgh wouldn't want to lose him for nothing.
Any deal would still require him to waive his no-movement clause.
The outlet noted he put up 100 points in 2022-23, winning his third Norris Trophy.
His first two seasons in Pittsburgh were a disappointment, according to the same report, before a strong 2025-26 campaign.
Pittsburgh is 3-5-1 and has lost three straight, and Dan Muse's group is just 1-4-1 on the road.
The Penguins have allowed 33 goals in nine games.
Kaedan Korczak and Declan Carlile have 4 points apiece on a thin blue line.
Samuel Girard is day-to-day, and Trevor van Riemsdyk is out until at least Oct 19.
Sidney Crosby is 39 and Evgeni Malkin is 40, which makes the timeline hard to ignore.
If the veteran forward goes first, how long before Karlsson follows?
Pittsburgh visits Utah on Monday before hosting Florida on Thursday.
Kyle Dubas has the tools to make it work. Whether Karlsson signs off on leaving is the one piece nobody else controls.
Should the Penguins retain half of Erik Karlsson's salary to trade him?
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