All eyes on Karlsson and Senators
Trade looms closer as two or more teams jockey for star blue-liner seeking hefty deal
What’s next for Erik Karlsson and the Ottawa Senators? That’s the $88-million question. Twenty-four hours after it’s believed the Senators gave Karlsson’s camp permission to speak to at least two teams — and maybe even more — about the possibility of getting a contract worked out, Karlsson remained with Ottawa on Tuesday, but not for much longer.
There was some hope a trade would get finalized Tuesday, but it never materialized.
Make no mistake, the Senators aren’t in any rush to make this deal and they’re not going to do it unless Ottawa general manager Pierre Dorion is able to get the right return. It’s not every day a franchise player is on the market and the asking price is hefty.
While it was reported the Senators offered Karlsson an eightyear, US$80 million extension on Sunday, the talk Tuesday was the organization came in north of that number. But it’s doubtful they’ll be able to get an extension in place.
Talks are sensitive and all parties are being tight-lipped — and rightfully so. If this trade doesn’t get done, then the reality is Karlsson could be at training camp in September. Though that possibility seems remote, it still exists until he gets moved.
Karlsson isn’t an unrestricted free agent until July 1, 2019, and the Senators need to have an idea if he plans to be here long term. Since the two sides can’t come to an agreement, then the best bet for the organization is to see what they can get in a trade.
It’s believed the Vegas Golden Knights, Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Rangers, San Jose Sharks, Columbus Blue Jackets and Dallas Stars have held talks with the Senators in some way, shape or form in recent weeks about a possible deal to get Karlsson.
There were also reports Monday that the New York Islanders might make a pitch for Karlsson as well and it appears the Rangers have backed off.
Out of that group, perhaps the Knights, Bolts and Stars might be the best fit for Karlsson. Any team that’s going to acquire the two-time Norris Trophy winner is going to want him to agree to an extension before giving the assets needed to make a deal.
Only the Senators can ink Karlsson to an eight-year extension, so a sign and trade is a possibility to help facilitate a deal. If the details are in place for a contract, then the Senators can try to get the right assets so the trade can be completed.
Though it’s not known what Karlsson and his camp are looking for in his new contract, a starting point in the negotiations is likely the eight-year, $88 million ($11 million per season) deal signed by Drew Doughty with the Los Angeles Kings on the weekend.
You’d have to think Karlsson wants more than Doughty is pulling down and that’s why the options for the Senators are limited because there are only so many teams that have the cap space required to make this kind of trade and the club has to find the right fit.
There’s also the Bobby Ryan factor at work here.
If Ryan and his four-year, $7.25 million cap hit are going part of the trade, then the return is going to change. It’s believed the Knights might be willing to accept Ryan’s deal, but it should be noted not every team involved in these talks is being asked to take on that contract.
Sure, Vegas could take Ryan’s cap hit, but a team like the Lightning has no room for that deal to make this trade happen.
Karlsson’s decision to turn down the contract offer means both sides are ready to move on and, let’s face it, the talk of his future has dominated the headlines since the club listened to offers for him at the deadline.
Karlsson hasn’t spoken publicly since the end of the season, but he did indicate then he wanted to stay.
Since then, Mike Hoffman was dealt to the San Jose Sharks before being sent to the Florida Panthers after this newspaper reported Karlsson’s wife, Melinda, alleged the winger’s fiancée Monika Caryk had been cyberbullying her and requested a protection order.
Karlsson walked the last four holes with former Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson while he was participating in the Alexander of Tunis golf tournament at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club on Tuesday. Karlsson and Alfredsson are close friends and are members at the Gatineau course.
At some point, this situation is going to get resolved and, in all likelihood, this chapter will be closed with Karlsson getting dealt away.
That’s not going to happen unless the Senators are satisfied with the package that they’re getting and clearly nobody has tabled the right offer yet to Dorion.