Ottawa Senators trade captain to San Jose Sharks
Ottawa ships captain to Sharks for package of 4 players, multiple picks
OTTAWA (CP) — The Ottawa Senators promised they were going into rebuild mode earlier this week. They weren’t kidding. Ending months of speculation and creating yet another juicy headline, the Senators traded their franchise player — captain Erik Karlsson — to the San Jose Sharks on Thursday.
In the end, the defenceman and the Senators did not see eye to eye — with the deal being done on the eve of the first on-ice session at training camp.
“There’s been a lot of noise for almost a year now, but I never in my wildest imagination thought that I was going to leave this place,” said an emotional Karlsson.
The Senators dealt Karlsson and prospect forward Francis Perron to the Sharks for centre Chris Tierney, defenceman Dylan DeMelo, prospect forwards Josh Norris and Rudolfs Balcers, as well as three draft picks.
Ottawa gets a second-round choice in the 2019 draft from San Jose, which will be the higher of the two picks the Sharks possess — their own and the Florida Panthers.
Ottawa also receives San Jose’s first-round choice in either 2019 or 2020 (not lottery protected). If the Sharks miss the playoffs in 2018-19, it will be a 2019 selection, otherwise it will be in 2020.
Lastly, if San Jose re-signs Karlsson, Ottawa receives a conditional 2021 secondround selection — or a first-round pick (not lottery protected) if the Sharks reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2019.
“This is the right moment for us to rebuild our team,” said Senators general manager Pierre Dorion. “Shape our future with all these core pieces while icing a faster, younger and more competitive team.
“This trade represents the best opportunity to rebuild towards a consistent excellence that we are striving for.”
Dorion admitted the decision to rebuild was made in February.
“I think they made it very clear in what direction they were going and unfortunately I wasn’t part of that and I respect that it’s their decision,” Karlsson said. “I was not part of that plan, and that’s why we’re standing here today. From my point of view, that’s sad. I never wanted to leave this place, but at the same time I respect their decision.”