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Why an unlikely key to resolving the Erik Karlsson trade logjam could be...Drew O’Connor?

As the lingering standoff between all of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes and San Jose Sharks — and Erik Karlsson himself — continues to drag on this summer, a most unlikely contender has emerged as being a key to how and when future events unfold.

This idea and key cog started popping out after reading the latest in The Athletic from Rob Rossi.

Erik Karlsson, the three-time Norris Trophy-winning defenseman, emerged as a target for the Penguins not long after Kyle Dubas was hired as president of hockey operations.

What’s the holdup for a potential deal?