While the two weren’t moved by last Monday’s 3 pm ET deadline, one or both could be dealt in the offseason, perhaps by the 2018 NHL Draft weekend (June 22-23) in Dallas.
Considered among the league’s best players, Karlsson and Pacioretty are team captains who are under contract through 2018-19. As a result, they’re also their respective clubs’ best trade chips.
Karlsson, 27, is an elite defenseman. He’s a two-time winner of the James Norris Memorial Trophy and a four-time first team All-Star.
The 29-year-old Pacioretty is a skilled left winger. He’s a five-time 30-goal scorer and was awarded the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in 2012.