It might take a while for the whole Pesce/Karlsson thing to shake out, if it does at all. From a Canes perspective, the only benefit of getting Karlsson as early as possible is that they could start marketing the crap out of acquiring the reigning Norris trophy winner.
Seems like no matter how things go with Karlsson, Pesce is a goner. If its Nashville for Pesce, well, no state income tax in Tennessee, so he can enjoy more of his big payday while not making the playoffs any time soon out there. But hey, he wants to be paid it seems over staying here and trying to win Cups. He won't be the first player to make that choice.
Nashville has a nice fat $8.8 million in cap space waiting for that trade to happen. I would rather they fork over the $6.75-$7 million AAV for at least 5 years that Pesce is likely looking for. Give me Orlov at $7.75 million AAV instead thank you very much.