Not trying to go off topic as this pertains to the Karlsson trade because it helps to bring clarity to a trade when assessing its result by looking at past trades that are somewhat similar in status, here are some examples of “star” players being traded and what the team got in return. It has become obvious that the team that receives the star player generally “wins” the trade which makes what we received in the Karlsson deal seem pretty good, all things considered:
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Ilya Kovalchuk: Traded to New Jersey from Atlanta for a package that included defenseman Johnny Oduya, rookie forward Niclas Bergfors, junior prospect Patrice Cormier and New Jersey's first-round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
Joe Thornton: San Jose sent forwards Marco Sturm and Wayne Primeau and defenseman Brad Stuart for Thornton. Boston received no picks.
Tyler Seguin: Boston and Dallas agreed to a seven-player trade Thursday, with the Bruins sending forward Tyler Seguin, forward Rich Peverley and defenseman Ryan Button to the Stars for forward Loui Eriksson and three prospects (Joseph Morrow, Reilly Smith and Matt Fraser).
Taylor Hall: for Adam Larsson
Jaromir Jagr: Penguins received Kris Beech, Ross Lupaschuk, Michal Sivek for Jagr and Kucera.
Olli Jokinen: to Arizona for Keith Ballard, Nick Boynton and a 2008 2nd round pick
Marian Gaborik: Rangers received Brassard, Dorsett, Moore, 2014 6th round pick from Columbus for Gaborik, Parlett and Delisle. Gaborik was traded again the following year to L.A for Matt Frattin a 2nd round pick and conditional 3rd.
O’Reilly: Buffalo received Sobotka, Berglund, Tage Thompson, 2019 1st round pick
Vanek: Moulson, 2014 1st round pick, 2015 2nd round pick.
Tanguay: Leopold, 2006 2nd round pick, 2007 conditional pick
Pronger: Lupul, Smid, 2007 1st round pick, 2008 2nd round pick, 2008 conditional 1st.
St. Louis: Callahan, 2015 1st round pick, 2014 conditional 2nd round pick.
Comrie: Woywitka, 2004 1st round pick, 2005 3rd round pick.
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There are bunch to list, obviously the Karlsson trade at the time was one of the biggest in league history because of the type of player he was/is, but those types of trades are so very very infrequent that it is hard to really find an equivalent. I think when you look at some of the above trades, you really notice that most of the time a star player is traded, it is rarely a win for the team that trades them away.