The Pittsburgh Penguins are on pace to miss the playoffs for the third consecutive season. General manager Kyle Dubas reportedly set out to shop anyone aside from core players such as Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and several other assets.

Erik Karlsson is in his second season with the Penguins. How is it going? Let’s say he, uh… In fact, let’s say we expected more from him in Pittsburgh when Kyle Dubas went to get him from San Jose.

Here are the obstacles to trading Karlsson: • He has a no-movement clause. Though many assume he would be willing to move on if asked, he still has the power here. The team hasn’t played well during his time in Pittsburgh, but he seems to genuinely like playing for the Penguins.

Karlsson, 34, carries a $10 million cap hit for two more seasons after this one, with the San Jose Sharks already retaining $1.5 million of his total $11.5 million salary. He's in the sixth season of the eight-year, $92 million contract he signed in 2019.

When the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired Erik Karlsson ahead of the 2023-24 season, it seemed like he would be a key piece of an organization looking for one more

Karlsson says he hasn’t been asked to waive a full no-movement clause in his contract ahead of the March 7 deadline.

As the Penguins continue to fade away in the Eastern Conference, general manager Kyle Dubas could be open to trading Erik Karlsson.

There has been a lot of trade speculation regarding Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson. And Sunday, he made a point to shut it down. According to a report by NHL Network's Kathryn Tappen - who spoke with Karlsson Sunday morning - the three-time Norris Trophy-winning defenseman has not been approached by Penguins' management about waiving his no-movement clause and is prepared to "take a stance" if approached.

Defenseman Erik Karlsson came to the Penguins in a trade, will he leave the same way? LISTEN to what he said about his no-trade clause with deadline approaching

On one end of the spectrum is Pittsburgh Penguins winger Rickard Rakell. He scored two goals, including a wonderful individual charge off the opening faceoff of the third period to tie the game.

Erik Karlsson still likes it in Pittsburgh. And he still sees his station as a defenseman with the Pittsburgh Penguins as providing a viable route to a Stanley Cup championship. But certainly not this season.