Erik Karlsson is stringing together his best season in a Sharks sweater.
He leads all NHL defensemen in goals (14), assists (44) and points (58). Those jaw-dropping stats from a 32-year-old defenseman on a struggling team sinking towards the bottom of the Western Conference standings has Karlsson's name swirling in trade rumors as the NHL's March 3 deadline approaches.
"It’s a tough one. I don’t like to plan too far ahead," Karlsson told Pierre LeBrun and Ryan Rishaug on the "Got Yer Back" podcast Wednesday. "I know that it’s a possibility in my future that things might change. Or they might not."
Karlsson will have four years remaining on his contract once the 2022-23 NHL season concludes. He also has a no-trade clause on his deal, so any swap the Sharks potentially agree to will have to be approved by him. Karlsson declared he and his family are happy in San Jose but at 32 years old, the win column is his top priority.
"I want to win," Karlsson said. "That’s always going to be my main objective. I think my family knows and understands that. They support me in whatever decision I make professionally. It doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy to make a move right now with everything. But I don’t think there would be any issues doing it. I don’t think my family would have any problem adjusting."
Mike Grier, in his first season as the Sharks' general manager, is looking for a hefty return for any Karlsson trade. Last week, Grier denied reports that the Sharks are looking to land three first-round picks for Karlsson, but he did clarify his expectations.
"It would have to be an offer that we feel makes us stronger in the future and gives us the ability to help turn this thing around quicker," Grier said. "At the end of the day, it’s gotta be something that makes sense for us as an organization to move someone like him. I’m not out there dying to get rid of this [defenseman] who is on pace for 100 points."
San Jose Sharks
"Grier has done a great job in everything he has said and everything he acted through all this," Karlsson said on the podcast. "And I think he should. He should explore all of his options and possibilities and do what he believes is best for the organization."
The biggest factor in Karlsson's desire to either be traded or remain in the Bay Area revolves around the franchise's timeline to win again, one that isn't quite clear as the team is 13-23-9 through 45 games.
RELATED: Why Quinn benched Labanc in Sharks' loss to Devils
"No one really knows what the timeline is going to be," Karlsson told LeBrun and Rishaug. "I like the way it’s going. I know that the hires that they’ve made and the people they’ve put in charge are doing a great job and moving in the right direction. I know the future here is going to be really bright.
"I just hope that it’s within my timeline. If it’s not, that’s a different discussion."