San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Feb. 14, 2023. Karlsson joins the Penguins in a deal on Sun Aug 6, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the SJ Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro:

On thing about dealing defenseman Erik Karlsson to the Pittsburgh Penguins it give San Jose Sharks general manager some room to sign some players. The big thing is that the Sharks got the first round pick from the Penguins.

The Sharks got forwards Mikael Granlund and Mike Hoffman, defenseman Jan Rutta and a top ten protected 2024 first round pick and the Montreal Canadiens got goaltender Casey DeSmith and defenseman Jeff Petry.

The Penguins in turn picked up from the Sharks forwards Rem Pitlick and Dillon Hamaliuk a 2026 with Karlsson. This on the face of it is not a good deal for San Jose who gives up a defenseman who scored 101 points. Look for Karlsson to be a huge asset joining Pittsburgh with Evgeni Malkin and Sid Crosby.

Len Shapiro does the San Jose Sharks podcasts for http://www.sportsradioservice.com