Hedman says he’d love to have ‘world-class’ Karlsson by his side
If Erik Karlsson is dealt to the Tampa Bay Lightning, he’d be welcomed with open arms by old friend Victor Hedman.
Before facing the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre Thursday night, Hedman, the Lightning ’s top defenceman, suggested to reporters Ottawa general manager Pierre Dorion was likely receiving calls from all 30 other teams expressing interest in Karlsson, a two-time Norris Trophy winner as the NHL’s top defenceman.
The Lightning have been cited as a possible destination for Karlsson. If general manager Steve Yzerman asked for Hedman’s advice on whether to bring in the dynamic Karlsson, a fellow Swede, Hedman would vote yes. Karlsson and Hedman spent most of the NHL all-star weekend in Tampa, Fla., together.
“I think every team in this league would like a player like him on their team,” Hedman said following the Lightning ’s morning skate. “It’s up in the air. There’s a lot of speculation this week and leading up to the trade deadline.
“We’re going to see what happens. Like I said, I don’t think there’s a team in the league that would say no to a world-class player like that.”
To get Karlsson, though, another team would have to pay a worldclass price because the Senators would want several assets in return for doing such a deal before the trade deadline Monday at 3 p.m.
Hedman knows what a difference maker Karlsson can be.
“He’s proven that all along in this league and for (the Senators),” Hedman said. “Like I said, it’s hard to come by those types of players, so you know he’s going to be sought after. We’ll see what happens.
“It’s out of our hands. We have to focus on what we can do on the ice and the business side of things, it’s not our go-to. It’s a good thing we have a good GM who’s able to handle that stuff.”
Lightning head coach Jon Cooper wouldn’t touch the Karlsson discussion.
“I can’t comment on other players,” Cooper said. “Where you are in the standings, people are going to say different things about players and their destinations.
“Whether our team is linked to whatever player it is, we’re not the only ones linked, but it’s fun to speculate with different players in the league. We like our group and we like what’s going on.”
Karlsson might not be the only one out the door for the Senators, who have received serious offers for forwards Derick Brassard, Mike Hoffman, Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Zack Smith and defenceman Johnny Oduya.
Several teams, including the Columbus Blue Jackets, Winnipeg Jets and Pittsburgh Penguins, are looking for help up the middle and may have shown heavy interest in Brassard.