One team has already called the Sharks about potential Erik Karlsson trade!

Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson might be happy in San Jose and not looking to be traded out of California, the fact that his general manager Mike Grier informed rival teams that he would take calls on the star blue liner has got the phone ringing.

Karlsson has garnered a lot of interest in trade chatter: he leads all NHL defensemen in goals (10) and points (24), and is tied for sixth among NHL skaters in points with Colorado Avalanche’s own Nathan MacKinnon.

And Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman revealed how one team has already pick up the phone to inquire about Karlsson:

“I think those conversations have happened between the Sharks and the Senators, I believe the two teams have talked about it,” Friedman said on the Jeff Marek Show today.

The thing is, I’m not sure Karlsson would go back to Ottawa at this time. He’d probably be more interested in being traded to a contender as the Sharks missed the playoffs the past three seasons. The Senators currently sit last in the Atlantic division (ahead of Wednesday’s action).

On top of that, Friedman doesn’t think the Senators aren’t likely to be able to take on Karlsson’s remaining contract, four more years after this season with an $11.5 million dollar AAV, even if the Sharks were to retain the maximum 50 percent on it:

“I just don’t know if it’s going to be possible. What I heard was it’s just not going to be cap possible.”

Karlsson, also, has a no-movement clause in his contract, though he always appears to be attached to the Senators, who selected in the first round in 2008. He also still owns a house in Ottawa.

If this trade were to materialize, it would be an epic reunion. Before the 2018-19 season kicked off, the Senators traded the two-time Norris Trophy winner with prospect Francis Perron to the Sharks in return for Dylan DeMelo, Chris Tierney, prospects Josh Norris and Rudolfs Balcers, a 2019 second-round pick (Jamieson Rees), a 2020 first-round pick (Tim Stutzle), and a 2021 second-round pick (Zach Ostapchuk).

BUT can you imagine what the Senators would have to give up in return? You can’t think they’d part with Shayne Pinto, Tim Stutlze, Josh Norris or captain Brady Tkachuk! The return remains a big question as well.

But the timing seems off, and the maths - impossible.

Later on Wednesday, Mike Johnson of TSN suggested that the Detroit Red Wings get in the mix to acquire Karlsson. It is easy to understand how several teams will at least call to look into the possibility of trading for a reborn skilled defenseman.