Karlsson says he’s in shape for World Cup
Senators’ star enthused about Sweden’s odds
Remember all the public criticism of Erik Karlsson last August, when the Senators captain was pushing 200 pounds, perfectly content to gradually work his way back into peak form as training camp approached?
Forget about that this time around.
Thanks to the fast approaching World Cup of Hockey, Karlsson is f ar ahead of his normal off- season schedule.
Karlsson, who is earning rave reviews for his conditioning level, heads overseas Saturday to begin preparations for the opening of Sweden’s training camp in Gothenburg on Sept. 5.
“We’re going to play our first competitive game in early September ( Sept. 8 in Helsinki against Finland) and I’m obviously putting more effort on being on the ice and trying to get the legs going,” Karlsson said Tuesday following an informal skate with many Senators teammates and other NHLers who call Ottawa home in the summer.
Karlsson, who tied for fourth in NHL scoring in 2015-16 with 16 goals and 66 assists (the first defenceman since Bobby Orr to lead the league in helpers), typically spends more time working out in the gym, not on the ice, in August. Which approach is best? “I haven’t done it before, so can’t really answer,” he said. “It definitely changes things up and it’s nice when you change sometimes. It has been a good summer and it feels good right now. And for the guys going to the World Cup, they’re going to be a step ahead of the guys going to (NHL) training camps.”
While Karlsson won a silver with Sweden at the 2014 Olympics — losing the gold- medal game to Canada — he says the World Cup is a different animal because of the high skill level of every team. Sweden is in a group with Finland, Russia and North America — the intriguing under-23 squad which will feature Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel and Auston Matthews, among others. Only two teams will advance to the semifinals.
If Sweden and Canada eventually meet up in the semifinals or final, Senators fans will have to choose between pride of country and pride of NHL team.
“I’m super excited, it’s going to be fun,” said Karlsson. “I was in Sweden a couple of weeks ago. We had a few meetings there and it was nice seeing everyone again. And you kind of forget that feeling about how it is to play for your national team. It’s one of the best feelings.”
If all goes according to Karlsson’s plan, he will miss most of Sens training camp. The World Cup semifinals are scheduled for Sept. 24-25 and the best-of-three final is slated for Sept. 27, Sept. 29 and, if necessary, Oct. 1.
Yet while Karlsson’s mindset is currently on helping Sweden, he has spoken several times to new Senators coach Guy Boucher.
Clearly, there will be an emphasis on improving the power play and short- handed units, which were both atrocious in 2015-16.
Boucher has surrounded himself with a huge supporting cast, including associate coach Marc Crawford, assistants Rob Cookson and Martin Raymond, along with goaltending coach Pierre Groulx and video coach Kristopher Young.
Boucher has a history of allowing offensive players to be creative — at least once they’re inside the opposition blue line.
“I think there are going to be some changes,” said Karlsson. “We’re going to try and develop our game, play like the team we know we are.”