Karlsson in ‘different space’ for his second trip to Ottawa
OTTAWA >> Erik Karlsson didn’t have to hold a press conference Saturday in his return to the city where he spent the first nine seasons of his NHL career and became one of the area’s most beloved athletes.
No, things were a little calmer considering the Sharks simply flew into town from Toronto mid-day and had the rest of the afternoon and evening to themselves.
Although it will no doubt still be special for Karlsson to come back to the Canadian Tire Centre today when the Sharks face the Ottawa Senators, the hype and hoopla will be nowhere near where it was more than 10 months ago.
Just about every media outlet in the city was in attendance when a smiling, casually dressed Karlsson held a news conference at a local arena Nov. 30, 2018, the day before the Sharks faced the Senators and 2 1/2 months removed from the blockbuster trade that brought him the South Bay.
Karlsson will always have deep connection to Ottawa, his “forever city,” as he’s said. But he also said midway through last season, after the return to the Canadian capital, that getting through the afternoon lifted a weight off his shoulders.
“A lot of emotions. I didn’t really know what to expect,” Karlsson said in January before the Sharks hosted the Senators last season. “It was nice to finally go there and get it over with, see everybody
and have that thing done with.”
In the game, Karlsson was given a video tribute by the Senators befitting his status and was cheered by Senators fans every time he touched the puck.
Then the Sharks were demolished 6-2, their fifth loss in six games at that point, as Karlsson was held without a point and former San Jose forward Mikkel Boedker had a goal and three assists.
This year, the Sharks and Karlsson are just looking for a win against the struggling Senators to inch closer to .500.
Friday’s 4-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs dropped San Jose’s record to 4-6-1, as it entered Saturday in seventh place in the Pacific Division, eight points back of the first-place Edmonton Oilers. Rebuilding Ottawa (2-7-1) is in eighth and last place in the Atlantic Division after a 4-2 loss to the New York Islanders on Friday.
Karlsson is also now a Shark through and through, after the organization made him the highest-paid defenseman in the NHL in June with an eight-year, $92 million contract extension. Perhaps the difference is that he and his wife Melinda, an Ottawa native, are now parents to a baby girl, Harlow Rain.
“Totally different situation,” Sharks coach Pete Deboer said Friday afternoon. “We were all in a different spot last year and arguably played maybe our worst game of the year in the last year at this time.
“I think there’s been a lot of water under the bridge. He’s in a different space, they’re in a different space. Every year (after) you leave a place, it’s not as big a deal.”
Senators fans will see a different version of Karlsson than the one they witnessed last December. With eight points in 10 games, he’s been playing much more like he was during his standout seasons in Ottawa.
About five months removed from groin surgery, Karlsson’s skating has been at an elite level since the start of training camp. What’s changed more recently is his decision making on the ice. He still makes eye-popping passes, either in close quarters or from 100 feet away, but some of the riskier plays have been eliminated.
Deboer said Karlsson was the “best player on the ice” when the Sharks beat the Montreal Canadiens 4-2 on
Thursday, even though he went without a point. Before that game, Karlsson had one goal and six assists in a five-game stretch when the Sharks went 3-1-1.
Three of those assists came on the power play, which came into Saturday ninth in the NHL at 25 percent, scoring nine times in the last eight games.
”He’s moving his feet. I think we’re starting to make more plays,” defense partner Brenden Dillon said Friday after the loss to the Maple Leafs. “For him, when he’s at his best, he’s one of the best (with his) vision, able to make those great passes.
“When teams scout and do their homework, they know they’re going to have to play him hard. He’s just trying to make more plays and hopefully create some more offense.”