Erik Karlsson rumors heat up with reports that he's heading to Eastern Conference contender

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is an updated rumor report based on our earlier report on the Pittsburgh Penguins and GM Kyle Dubas' inability to trade defenseman Erik Karlsson this offseason.

Read directly below for our updated rumor report and further down below for our initial report.

UPDATE: NHL insider Frank Seravalli is now reporting that the Carolina Hurricanes have interest in Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson.

From Seravalli yesterday:

"Could the Carolina Hurricanes be a fit for Erik Karlsson? Yeah, I could see that. But I think the big question for the Carolina Hurricanes would be... let's say they could get their hands on Erik Karlsson at $7.5 million... how much better is Erik Karlsson at $7.5 million than Shayne Gostisbehere at a number much less than that? Is there a gulf between the two? Probably, but how big is it really? How much would it help if Karlsson played on another team than Pittsburgh? Outside of Carolina I think it becomes really difficult to squint and see a fit for Erik Karlsson."

Again, read below for our earlier report on Karlsson's situation in Pittsburgh.

Oops... he did it again.

Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas is receiving some heat from his team's fanbase for how he has handled a pivotal offseason in their roster rebuild. Sound familiar, Toronto Maple Leafs fans?

Dubas has made many changes this offseason, but he hasn't addressed any of the core issues or, frankly, the core players on the Penguins' payroll. Let's take a quick look at his additions this summer:

IN:
Anthony Mantha
Arturs Silovs
Connor Clifton
Matt Dumba
Justin Brazeau
Parker Wotherspoon
Alexander Alexeyev
Caleb Jones
Rafael Harvey-Pinard
Phil Kemp
Filip Hallander

With all due respect, are any of those players moving the needle in 2025-26?

Surely he has spent his offseason offloading players then for future assets, right?

Not so much... take a look at these roster subtractions:

OUT:
Alex Nedeljkovic
Conor Timmins
Pierre-Olivier Joseph
Vladislav Kolyachonok
Chase Stillman
Nate Clurman
Marc Johnstone
Jimmy Huntington
Isaac Belliveau

Are you beginning to see a trend here? Lots of movement, but little in the way of substantial moves that actually help shape this team's roster. In other words, he's just kind of playing with himself...

There's no denying the fact that Sidney Crosby is his most valuable asset on the trade market, but personally I can't blame Dubas for holding onto his captain. To trade Crosby would be devastating to Penguins fans and given the trajectory of the team for the next few seasons, it's probably best just to hang on to him and have him shepherd the next generation.

But what about Erik Karlsson?

By all indications, Dubas has had the opportunity to move Karlsson this summer. Several teams had reportedly inquired about his availability this offseason, but Dubas has failed to make a move. Now there are reports that Dubas has essentially blown it because the demand for Karlsson had died down.

"Options have dwindled over the last couple of weeks," insider Shayna Goldman reports. She goes on to report that the three teams who were all vying for Karlsson, the Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers and Ottawa Senators, are all now out on negotiations.

"Hurricanes ...may not want to take another massive swing"; "Panthers are out"; "Senators should see what Jordan Spence has to offer before committing."

Surprise, surprise... Dubas has fumbled the ball yet again.

Once more: Sound familiar Leafs fans?