The Dallas Stars have emerged as a leading contender to trade for Ottawa Senators superstar defenceman Erik Karlsson, according to Chris Stevenson of The Athletic.
Stevenson also mentioned the Tampa Bay Lightning and Vegas Golden Knights as other contenders for the two-time Norris Trophy winner.
The 28-year-old Karlsson has one year left on his contract and is eligible for free agency next year. But general manager Pierre Dorion reportedly offered Karlsson a contract extension, though he wouldn't go into details about the term or dollars.
Karlsson and the Senators finished as the NHL's second worst team in 2017-18, only ahead of the Buffalo Sabres. That sparked Dorion into trading away veteran center Derick Brassard at the deadline, and later sniper Mike Hoffman before the NHL entry draft.
It was reported last month that Hoffman's fiancee, Monica Caryk, harrassed Karlsson and his wife, Melinda. The latter filed a protection order against Caryk, and it alleges that the Karlssons were taunted by Hoffman's fiancee following the stillbirth of their son.
That, coupled with speculation that Karlsson has grown frustrated with owner Eugene Melnyk, has led many to believe that the perennial All-Star has played his last game in the nation's capital.
The Stars are just two years removed from a Central Division title, but they've missed the playoffs in each of the last two seasons. But if they added Karlsson, the Stars would certainly have the makings to be a championship contender.
This team is already armed with two superstar scorers in Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn, plus one of the league's elite goalies in Ben Bishop. The Stars also employ fellow Swede John Klingberg, one of the top scoring blueliners in the NHL.
The Stars would likely have to part with top prospect Miro Heiskanen, whom they drafted with the third pick in 2017, plus other assets. After all, it's not every day where you get to land a Norris Trophy defenceman who's among the greatest skaters the league has ever seen.