ABOUT OTTAWA, KARLSSON SAYS ALL THE RIGHT THINGS
Near the end of his 10-minute session with the media Friday afternoon, Erik Karlsson mentioned that he missed us. Just not in those exact words. “I still follow all you guys on social media, unfortunately,” he joked. “So I know what’s going on.”
A few minutes later, when all was said and done and he was shaking my hand, I offered to take him out for dinner. Karlsson laughed.
“Baby steps,” he said. Know this: EK65 has changed his practice ways. Or at least he did for one day.
As captain of the Senators, Karlsson was often the first player off the ice. As just another member of the visiting San Jose Sharks on Friday, he was the fourth to pack it in.
During his extra time on the University of Ottawa slippery surface, Karlsson rifled one-timers into the net from the left wing faceoff circle. You thought, either he’s working on his game, determined to start scoring more regularly, or he’s stalling, nervous about facing the large media contingent he knew was waiting for him in a cramped room upstairs.
In San Jose, only two reporters cover the NHL team on a regular basis. Maybe he’s out of interview shape.
Karlsson hadn’t even settled into his seat in front of the all the microphones when he flashed his familiar sense of humour, making light of a situation Thursday night that saw him blow off a scrum wanting to talk about his return to Ottawa too soon after the Sharks lost in Toronto.
At that point, I knew why he stayed on the U of O ice so long. And I would have bet anything he’s going to score a pair against the old team this afternoon.
Karlsson only has two goals and 15 points in his first 26 with the Sharks for a few different reasons. For one, new players to always try to fit in by setting up teammates, even when a particular pass is not the best choice.
“He’s had to adapt personally to our team, in a little bit of a different role,” said Sharks coach Pete DeBoer.
“From being THE main option and the main weapon and the go-to guy ... that’s both on the ice and in a leadership role. I think he’s done an exceptional job with that.”
That has to be tougher than it sounds. Karlsson was king in Ottawa. That the Senators system was built around him is just part of it. The dressing room belonged to him. What he decided got done. Practice times, days off, players outings ... all of it.
Did you think Guy Boucher told Karlsson what was what when he was given another chance to coach in the NHL? No way.
Boucher’s a smart man. He knew his best chance at survival was to have Karlsson on his side.
In San Jose, Karlsson walked into a room that already had its leaders. Joe Thornton, Brent Burns, Logan Couture, Joe Pavelski.
“It’s different,” said Karlsson. “You try and fit in. You try and find your place and everything. It’s something that takes a little bit of time. At the same time, I’ve got to be who I am, and what I believe in, and what I think makes us successful.
“I’ve tried not to change anything really. I go about the same routines for hockey purposes I’ve always done, with the experience I have. At the same time, I try and learn new things all the time. I’ve learned a tremendous amount from the players in that locker-room. It’s going to make me a better player in the end.”
Is Karlsson going to re-sign with the Sharks or jump to the open market on July 1? I used to think the former. Now I’m back to believing he wanted to become a UFA all along.
Karlsson, for his part, insists he doesn’t think about the future
“I do not,” he said. “Right now I’m worried about today. That’s kind of been the mindset all year and I think that’s going to be going on for a long time. I’m trying to stay as focused as I can in the present, the future and the past is nothing I can control.”
He can control the future by signing where he wants, as long as money isn’t necessarily the sole motive. Not every team will be able to afford him.
As for the present, it should include a very strong and long ovation when he’s acknowledged at CTC.
Play-by-play man turned intrepid reporter Dean Brown asked him how he was going to acknowledge the outpouring — waving back, clapping back or hand on pumping heart,
“I don’t know,” Karlsson said, laughing. “That’s one of those things, I try not to think about that. I know it’s coming up, I know it’s there. Whatever happens in the moment is going to happen. I’m going to try and enjoy it. Like I’ve said, I’ve had nothing but great memories there and I’m looking forward to creating more.”
“(Saturday) afternoon is going to be another one of those great memories.”
Nick St. Pierre, the other Senators play-by-play man, asked Karlsson what he thought when he saw there was 10,000 fans in attendance for Thursday’s game against the Rangers.
“I’m not part of that anymore, so that’s not for me to comment on,” Karlsson said. “I love this city. I’m going to spend every summer here. But that’s pretty much it.”
They’re pissed you’re not here, I chimed in.
“Yeah, maybe,” he said, laughing.
Karlsson spoke of how he still watches and cheers for his friends on the Senators (“I still like when the team does well,” he said) and that he’s impressed with the quick development of Thomas Chabot.
“It’s fun to watch,” said Karlsson. “He’s a great kid.”
Next up was TSN’s Brent Wallace, who asked if he would comment on the rift between his wife Melinda and Mike Hoffman’s spouse, Monika Caryk. “Absolutely not,” said Karlsson. When Wallace tried another route to the same question, Karlsson stared at him for a couple of uncomfortable seconds.
The Sharks PR guy officially closed the session, Karlsson jumped up cheerily, said his goodbyes and went to join Daniel Alfredsson for dinner.
Expect it will be remembered as the pre-game meal for a dramatic return.