from Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic,

If there was any further proof needed of the NHL’s current salary-cap system making it difficult to move money, Erik Karlsson is providing it.

Likely to be named the Norris Trophy winner on June 26 in Nashville, there’s no guarantee the Sharks will be able to move Karlsson this summer despite the most concentrated intention on doing just that.

That’s what four more years on a contract at an $11.5 million average annual value does for you.

Surely, though, there’s a way to move a 101-point defenseman about to pick up his third Norris Trophy?

We’re about to find out.

Sharks management met with Karlsson’s camp, Newport Sports, recently at the combine in Buffalo, and both sides came out of it absolutely on the same page as far as wanting to seek a trade for the 33-year-old Swedish magic man.

Let’s put it this way: While the Sharks were listening on Karlsson before the March 3 trade deadline this season — and did speak to a few teams about him, including the Oilers — this is more of a proactive endeavor.

The Sharks really want to move him. And Karlsson really wants to be moved to a team where he’s got a chance to win.

Karlsson’s full no-movement clause means he’s got a say in where he lands, but my impression is he’s going to be fairly open-minded. He really wants a chance to win before his career is over, and it’s not coming with the rebuilding Sharks.

I’m told that a few teams have already kicked tires over the past week, so the process has commenced, but it’s been described to me as very much in the early stages.

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