The blueliner's name has surfaced in recent trade discussions, along with those of fellow veteran Penguins stars Evgeni Malkin and team captain Sidney Crosby. Karlsson, however, made it clear on Sunday that any potential move is entirely up to him, so he's not worried about it for now.

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

Karlsson, 34, has two years remaining beyond 2024-25 on an eight-year contract that pays him $11.5 million annually and has a full no-movement clause. The Penguins are paying $10 million of Karlsson's contract, as $1.5 million was retained by the San Jose Sharks in the blockbuster trade that sent Karlsson to Pittsburgh on Aug. 6, 2023.

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.

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.