CANADA’S EH-OK, SAYS KARLSSON
According to Erik Karlsson, recent reports that he is not willing to sign a long-term deal with a Canadian team are inaccurate. One day after reports circulated suggesting the superstar Ottawa Senators defenceman was not interested in signing an extension in Canada, the 28-year-old reached out to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman to deny the claim. Friedman relayed the player’s response via Twitter on Friday morning, adding he attempted to talk to the Senators’ captain further, “but he said that was the only comment he will make.” Karlsson turned down an eight-year deal worth north of US$80 million from the Senators July 1 and the pending 2019 free agent seems destined to be traded. The only real question that remains is when the deal will take place and which team will land his coveted services. Karlsson is scheduled to report to the Senators’ training camp on Sept. 13.