Karlsson unlikely to move soon
Trade market for two- time Norris winner could heat up in offseason
The Ottawa Senators need to separate the contenders from the pretenders in the Erik Karlsson sweepstakes.
That’s the next step to determine whether the club dealing its captain before Monday’s NHL trade deadline has any chance of being reality.
After word leaked out Tuesday that the Senators were listening to offers for their franchise player, general manager Pierre Dorion’s phone has likely been ringing off the hook with teams expressing interest in the 27- year- old Karlsson.
The key now is to find out who’s really serious about making a pitch because at this point the only serious contender is considered to be the Tampa Bay Lightning.
It’s hard to predict if the Senators will actually make a deal involving Karlsson by Monday. Right now, it feels like a longshot and that’s because the reality is Ottawa doesn’t likely have any tangible offers for its top player.
By the weekend, the Senators will have a good idea whether there truly are any contenders in these Karlsson talks, or if there are just a bunch of pretenders that won’t be willing to pay the heavy price that Dorion will want if he’s going to move the two- time Norris Trophy.
If teams are seriously interested in Karlsson, now would be a good time to put their best offers on the table because the Senators have to assess whether dealing him at this deadline is realistic or whether the club should wait until the summer when the market will be bigger with more teams ready to make a pitch.
The Senators also have to figure out whether Karlsson wants to stay or go.
There’s no shortage of outrage amongst the fanbase at news the Senators are toying with the thought of trading a franchise player, but the club has to keep its options open because there’s no certainty Karlsson will sign a contract extension here before he becomes a unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2019.
No, the Senators can’t officially hold contract talks with Karlsson until this summer. However, now that his name is out there, it might be a good time for him to let Dorion know if his preference is to remain with the organization.
Former Senators coach Paul MacLean, who was behind the club’s bench from 2011- 14, wrote in an interesting column posted on NHL. com Thursday morning. He believes Karlsson wants to win a Stanley Cup in Ottawa, but isn’t afraid of the unknown.
MacLean said he knows what Karlsson means to this city and doesn’t let the weight of the captaincy bother him.
“When Daniel Alfredsson left to go to the Detroit Red Wings in July 2013, the Senators franchise was defined by Erik moving forward. Anywhere the team goes, it’s about Erik Karlsson. Everyone wants to see Erik Karlsson. He’s the face of the franchise, and he welcomes that. It’s not a burden for him,” MacLean wrote.
“I know he wants to remain a member of the Senators for his whole career — or at least as long as he can. He’s got roots there. Daniel’s still there. Erik’s wife is from there. It’s the first team he played for. But as he said, it’s a business.
“Financially he’s going to demand what he’s going to demand. And I know how badly he wants to win. He doesn’t want to do it by himself. I know those are going to be some of the factors for him.”
MacLean added that he believes Karlsson just wants to be a winner whether it’s in Ottawa or elsewhere.
“You can’t underestimate his desire to win. Winning the Norris Trophy multiple times isn’t his goal,” MacLean said. “He wants to have a chance to win a Stanley Cup. He wants to do that in Ottawa. But if he doesn’t think he can do it there, I’m sure he won’t be afraid to move on.”
The Senators need to find out if Karlsson is willing to buy into what they’re selling and the belief is he’ll demand an eight- year deal in the range of $ 10- 12 million per season.
The question is: If the Senators pay Karlsson that kind of money what kind of team does he expect to have around him?
You can’t blame Dorion for listening to what teams are willing to offer for Karlsson if they’re going to make a deal. It just doesn’t feel like anything is imminent because, when push comes to shove, the belief in NHL circles is the market will be a lot bigger in July than it is right now if the Senators deal him.
The fact winger Bobby Ryan’s name has surfaced as a possibility to be part of the deal is just good business for the Senators. If you’re going to deal a franchise player then why wouldn’t you at least look at the possibility of getting a big contract that hasn’t worked out off the books? You can spend that money elsewhere.
The next few days are going to be intriguing, but it’s still a long way to the finish line.