The San Jose Sharks acquired the two-time Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Erik Karlsson from the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, making a blockbuster addition to the roster after missing out on the high-scoring center John Tavares in free agency.
General Manager Doug Wilson stood pat for most of the summer after Tavares signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs before pouncing when another superstar was available the day before San Jose opened training camp. Karlsson joins one of the top defensive groups in the league alongside the 2017 Norris Trophy winner Brent Burns and the shutdown defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic.
“It’s extremely rare that players of this caliber become available,” Wilson said. “The word ‘elite’ is often thrown around casually, but Erik’s skill set and abilities fit that description like few other players in today’s game. With Erik, Brent Burns and Marc-Edouard Vlasic, we feel we have three of the N.H.L.’s top defensemen and stand as a better team today than we were yesterday.”
San Jose is sending the Senators a first-round pick in 2019 or 2020, a second-round pick in 2019, forwards Chris Tierney, Josh Norris and Rudolfs Balcers, defenseman Dylan DeMelo and two conditional draft picks. The Sharks also get forward Francis Perron.
OTTAWA — The Erik Karlsson era is over in Ottawa.
The Senators traded the star defenceman to the San Jose Sharks on Thursday, just one day before Ottawa hits the ice for training camp.
The Senators dealt Karlsson and prospect forward Francis Perron to the Sharks. Ottawa gets forwards Chris Tierney and Rudolfs Balcers, defenceman Dylan DeMelo, prospect forward Josh Norris and two conditional draft picks. If San Jose re-signs Karlsson, Ottawa receives a conditional 2021 second-round selection — or a first-round pick (not lottery protected) if the Sharks reach the Stanley Cup final in 2019.
"I don't think that I've ever in my wildest imagination thought that I would ever leave this place," said Karlsson in an emotional news conference. "But, unfortunately, we're here under these circumstances and, again, that's not something I'm going to go into detail about.
"I was prepared to come here and work hard for this team. I still have a year left on my deal but unfortunately I couldn't follow that through."
Ottawa 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. Ottawa gets a second-round choice in the 2019 draft from San Jose (which will be the higher of the two picks the Sharks currently own — the Florida Panthers' and their own).
"Erik is an exceptional hockey player whose skills delighted our fans for the past nine years," Senators general manager Pierre Dorion said in a statement. "We thank him for his dedication to hockey, and we wish him all the best.
"This is the right moment for us to rebuild our team, and shape our future with a faster, younger and more competitive team on the ice. We are going to build a culture of consistency which will allow this team to sustain better performance over the long term."
The departure of the 28-year-old face of the franchise is the latest development in what has been a turbulent stretch for the Senators.
Things started to go sideways last fall in the nation's capital after the club returned from a two-game sweep of the Colorado Avalanche in Sweden, going an ugly 1-9-3 over its next 13 to begin a tumble down the standings
Then on the eve of franchise's showcase outdoor game in mid-December, Senators owner Eugene Melnyk rained on his own parade by musing to reporters at a media availability on Parliament Hill that he might move the team if ticket sales didn't improve.
That launched the #MelnykOut hashtag on Twitter the same month, and while Melnyk eventually backtracked on the relocation talk, some fans decided to vent their frustration by raising money to fund a series of billboards featuring the slogan.
Through it all, Karlsson's future remained a key talking point ahead of February's trade deadline.
He ended up staying put, but tragedy struck in March when Karlsson and his wife Melinda announced their first child, a son they named Axel, was stillborn.
"I don't think that I could have ever prepared for this. That's why I don't have anything written, I haven't really wrapped my mind around what is really going on," said Karlsson, who made a statement without any prepared notes before taking questions from reporters. "I think it's been happening really fast, even though there's been noise for a year now."
More controversy bubbled to the surface in May when former captain and franchise icon Daniel Alfredsson, who left his role with Ottawa as a senior adviser the previous summer, was quoted saying he hopes the team gets a new owner.
Then assistant general manager Randy Lee was charged with harassing a 19-year-old male hotel shuttle driver in Buffalo, N.Y., during the NHL's pre-draft scouting combine. He was suspended by the team two weeks after being charged.
And if that wasn't enough, news broke in June that Karlsson's wife had filed a peace bond against Monika Caryk, the fiancee of former teammate Mike Hoffman, for alleged cyberbullying.
Hoffman, who was traded a week later, and Caryk have denied the allegations. A civil suit is ongoing.
Lee, who was also GM of the Senators' AHL affiliate, resigned from both jobs with the organization last month.
Karlsson, a two-time Norris Trophy winner (2012, 2015), spent the last nine seasons in Ottawa. The six-foot, 191-pound Swede was drafted by the Senators with the 15th overall pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. He made his debut in Ottawa the following year.
His breakout campaign came in 2011-12 when he had 78 points (19 goals, 59 assists), while averaging 25:19 of ice time.
"It's extremely rare that players of this calibre become available," Sharks general manager Doug Wilson said in a statement. "The word elite is often thrown around casually but Erik's skill-set and abilities fit that description like few other players in today's game. With Erik, Brent Burns and Marc-Edouard Vlasic, we feel we have three of the NHL's top defencemen and stand as a better team today than we were yesterday. We are thrilled to welcome Erik and his wife, Melinda, to San Jose."
"Ultimately, to acquire a player like this, you have to give to get and we are losing some quality players but also some very good people. All of the players leaving our organization have a very bright future in this league and we wish them all the best."
Speculation about Karlsson's future had been a hot topic in what has been a headline-loaded off-season for the Senators. The team said it offered Karlsson, who can become an unrestricted free agent next summer, a contract extension on July 1.
Ottawa fell to the Pittsburgh Penguins in double overtime in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference final in 2017, but struggled mightily last season, finishing 30th in the 31-team NHL with just 67 points.
Karlsson put the Senators on his shoulders in the 2017 playoffs, leading them in scoring with 18 points — including two game-winning goals — in 19 contests, averaging more 28 minutes of ice time despite having torn tendons in his left foot, which required off-season surgery.
Karlsson had 62 points (nine goals, 53 assists) in Ottawa's disastrous 2017-18 campaign.
In 627 career games, the speedy native of Landsbro, Sweden, has 126 goals and 392 assists, while averaging just under 26 minutes a night. He's added 37 points (six goals, 31 assists) in 48 playoff outings.
Erik Karlsson had to go.
He was too good for the Ottawa Senators.
At least for an Ottawa Senators team owned by Eugene Melnyk.
A different person calling the shots might have taken a different approaching in the handling of the most valuable asset the franchise has ever owned. He could have seen Karlsson as a player that comes along once in a generation and built around him. He may have decided to spend to the ceiling of the salary cap and taken a serious run at the Stanley Cup during Karlsson’s prime years.
But Melnyk can not or will not operate this way. He told us during his fool on the hill rant in front of the Parliament buildings seven months ago. He said there and then that he was going to run the team by keeping a “direct relationship” between revenues and players’ salaries, and that “even $68 million” was too much over the Senators revenue base.
The most recent post on CapFriendly has the Senators projected with a cap hit of $70,800,833 for the upcoming season, with a slew of players set to become UFA’s in July.
Karlsson priced himself out of the Senators budget the moment he said he was going to get what he’s worth upon the expiration of his current contract.
If they offered him $10 million a season it was done knowing he wouldn’t take it when Drew Doughty just signed for $11 million a season with the Los Angeles Kings. Karlsson has outscored Doughty by 96 points while playing 143 fewer games, and he also has a 2-1 lead on him in Norris Trophies.
No way was he going to accept $1 million a year less.
Years ago, Karlsson was unhappy with something I wrote about him. I tried to talk to him about it, but he walked away. When I asked his friend Robin Lehner to pass along some clarification, I was told it was useless.
“Erik is very stubborn,” said Lehner.
Hence, if he had his mind set on becoming the highest paid defenceman in the NHL, he was going to become the highest paid defenceman in the NHL.
And deservingly so, for what he has accomplished to date.
The big question is, what kind of player is Karlsson going to be for the next seven or eight years?
He didn’t win the Hart, but I still think he was the most valuable player in the league during the 2016-17 season, when he he had 71 points in 77 games and followed it up with 18 points in 19 playoff games.
He was outstanding defensively as he was offensively.
Karlsson was a different player last season, however.
Was it because of the ankle injury? Perhaps. He didn’t have the same explosive jump while pushing off his left foot. The strength wasn’t there for him to win as many D-zone battles.
OTTAWA, ON - June 20, 2008 -First round draft pick for the Ottawa Senators Erik Karlsson during the NHL 2008 Entry Draft held in Ottawa, Friday, June 20, 2008 Jean Levac/Postmedia
-SEPT16th/2009-OTTAWA-Daniel Alfredsson and new Ottawa Senator Erik Karlsson together at Alfie House--In Ottawa Bruno Schlumberger/Postmedia
JUNE 30, 2009 - - Erik Karlsson goes through drills during the first day of Senators development camp for draft picks at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, June 30, 2009. Jean Levac/Postmedia
OTTAWA, ONT.-AUGUST 31, 2009- Ottawa Senator rookie Erik Karlsson sticks out his tongue while taking part in an informal skate at the Bell Sensplex. Wayne Cuddington/Postmedia
RALEIGH, NC - JANUARY 29: Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators and Team Staal arrives at the NHL All-Star red carpet part of 2011 NHL All-Star Weekend on January 29, 2011 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Harry How/Getty Images
OTTAWA, ON: MARCH 13, 2012 -- Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators arrives at the train station prior to boarding the train to Montreal. The Ottawa Senators will take part in the Operation Montreal - Heritage Train trip to Montreal. A group of 280 people, including the entire Senators team, management, partners and fans, will board a Via Rail train and travel to Montreal in advance of Ottawa's game against the Montreal Canadiens on March 14 at the Bell Centre. In honour of the trip, the team will wear its heritage uniform during the March 14 game. Jean Levac/Postmedia
APRIL 20, 2010- Daniel Alfredsson leaves the bench while Chris Campoli, 14, Erik Karlsson, 65, and coach Cory Clouston have glum looks at the buzzer for the end of the third period as the Ottawa Senators meet the Pittsburgh Penguins at Scotiabank Place in game 4 of the Eastern Conference NHL playoffs. /Postmedia
Ottawa Senators' Erik Karlsson takes part in practice at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa on Wednesday, May 8, 2013. The Senators lead their playoff series 3-1 against the Montreal Canadiens. Sean Kilpatrick/THE CANADIAN PRESS
Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65), of Sweden, skates against New Jersey Devils center Sergey Kalinin (51), of Russia, during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016, in Newark, N.J. Julio Cortez/AP
The Ottawa Senators took part in their first day of training camp at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa Ontario Thursday Sept 17, 2015. Tony Caldwell/Postmedia
Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators talks about the passing of assistant coach Mark Reeds at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, April 14, 2015. Jean Levac/Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa Senators captain Erik Karlsson holds one of the dogs attending Hopeful Hearts dog rescue fundraising dinner at Salt restaurant on Preston st. on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014. James Park/Ottawa Citizen
Erik Karlsson listens to assistant coach Dave Cameron as the Ottawa Senators practice at Canadian Tire Centre. Assignment - 118750 // Photo taken at 12:03 on October 23, 2014. Wayne Cuddington/Postmedia
Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators practices during morning skate at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, September 24, 2014. Jean Levac/Postmedia
OTTAWA, ONTARIO: SEPTEMBER 16, 2011 -- Ottawa Senator Erik Karlsson as the NHL team goes through medicals and fitness testing September 16, 2011 at Scotiabank Place on the first day of training camp. Wayne Cuddington/Ottawa Citizen
Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators celebrates his shootout goal against the New Jersey Devils at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, April 10, 2014. For Ottawa Citizen story by , SPORTS Assignment #116698 Jean Levac/Postmedia
Erik Karlsson. Jean Levac/Postmedia
Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators during practice at the Bell Sensplex. Jean Levac/Postmedia
OTTAWA, ON: NOVEMBER 20, 2013 - Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators shows his dejection after the goal by Dany Heatley of the Minnesota Wild during second period of NHL action at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, November 20, 2013. Photo by Jean Levac/Ottawa Citizen For Ottawa Citizen story by , SPORTS Assignment #115212 ORG XMIT: POS1311202037404877 Jean Levac/Postmedia
JANUARY 12, 2013 -- Erik Karlsson has his eyes checked as the Ottawa Senator players participated in informal medical tests at Scotiabank Place in advance of the expected ratification of the new CBA agreement with the NHL. Wayne Cuddington/Postmedia
LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 20: Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators poses after winning the James Norris Memorial Trophy during the 2012 NHL Awards at the Encore Theater at the Wynn Las Vegas on June 20, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
FEBRUARY 24, 2012 --- Ottawa Senators practice at Bell Sensplex Friday. Here, Erik Karlsson takes the puck down the ice during a drill. Julie Oliver/Postmedia
FEBRUARY 21, 2012 -- Daniel Alfredsson and Erik Karlsson stretch as the Ottawa Senators practice at the Kanata Rec Centre, February 21, 2012. Wayne Cuddington/Postmedia
BUFFALO, NY - NOVEMBER 11: Erik Karlsson #65 of the Ottawa Senators warms up before playing against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center on November 11, 2011 in Buffalo, New York. Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images
Erik Karlsson has one more season remaining on his contract. The Senators can only make a formal offer for an extension on July 1, days after the NHL draft in Dallas this weekend. Harry How/Getty Images
Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators Jean Levac/Ottawa Citizen
TORONTO - OCTOBER 6: Erik Karlsson #65 of the Ottawa Senators carries the puck as he is defended by Ian White #7 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during their NHL game at the Air Canada Centre October 6, 2009 in Toronto, Ontario. Dave Sandford/Getty Images
Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson Ross D. Franklin/AP
Sunday marked the first time the Senators could start to formally negotiate a contract extension with Erik Karlsson, whose current deal expires in July 2019. Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images
Erik Karlsson's nameplate is seen in the Senators locker room during the team's season wrap-up on April 9. Justin Tang/THE CANADIAN PRESS
Fans hold up signs in support of Ottawa Senators captain Erik Karlsson (65) during the warm-up before NHL hockey action against the Winnipeg Jets at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa on Monday, April 2, 2018. PATRICK DOYLE/THE CANADIAN PRESS
Will the Senators trade captain Erik Karlsson ahead of the NHL draft on Friday? GETTY IMAGES
Erik Karlsson can become a free agent if his current contract expires in July 2019. The Senators offered their captain a long-term extension on Sunday. Jean Levac/Postmedia
BUFFALO, NY - DECEMBER 15: Erik Karlsson #65 of the Ottawa Senators prepares to play the Buffalo Sabres on December 15, 2014 at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York. Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images
Ottawa Senators defenceman Erik Karlsson Claus Andersen/Getty Images
Ottawa Senators captain Erik Karlsson speaks to reporters in the locker room during the team's season wrap up in Ottawa, Monday, April 9, 2018. Justin Tang/THE CANADIAN PRESS
Melinda and Erik Karlsson. Ashley Fraser / Postmedia
Senators captain Erik Karlsson and his wife, Melinda, are introduced at the Senators Soiree in Gatineau on Feb. 11. Patrick Doyle/Postmedia
Melinda and Erik Karlsson. Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
Melinda and Erik Karlsson. Ashley Fraser/Postmedia
Erik Karlsson discusses his future with the media as the Senators cleared out their lockers at Canadian Tire Centre in April. Wayne Cuddington/Postmedia
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Maybe that’s why he appeared to have less in playing the two-way game. Maybe he was trying to make up for his shortcomings in his own zone by doing more offensively.
It didn’t work out. He had 62 points, but his plus-minus dropped by 35 in a year. He strayed from coach Guy Boucher’s system, and other players followed the leader.
But I think Karlsson will be back to his old form in October, after an off-season to strengthen his ankle and now with the determination to prove that he’s worth what he’ll make on his new contract.
The Senators will suffer without him.
But with Melnyk as the owner, they will continue to be a team that has to operate under a tight budget. Unless there’s a change, Thomas Chabot will likely one day become too rich for their blood, as will Logan Brown and Brady Tkachuk.
They too will be traded away for prospects and promise.
Can they win a Stanley Cup while spinning their wheels this way? No. The Vegas Golden Knights wrote a once-in-a-lifetime story. Absolutely everything came together for them, and they were still no match for the Washington Capitals in the finals.
They wanted to acquire Karlsson to get them over the hump.
Ottawa hockey fans will just need to accept the fact that this is the team they get with Melnyk as the owner. It can be a fun team, an exciting team and even a playoff team.
But it will never be a championship team.
And it will never have a player like Erik Karlsson getting paid what he deserves to get paid.
OTTAWA, ON - June 20, 2008 -First round draft pick for the Ottawa Senators Erik Karlsson during the NHL 2008 Entry Draft held in Ottawa, Friday, June 20, 2008 Jean Levac/Postmedia
-SEPT16th/2009-OTTAWA-Daniel Alfredsson and new Ottawa Senator Erik Karlsson together at Alfie House--In Ottawa Bruno Schlumberger/Postmedia
JUNE 30, 2009 - - Erik Karlsson goes through drills during the first day of Senators development camp for draft picks at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, June 30, 2009. Jean Levac/Postmedia
OTTAWA, ONT.-AUGUST 31, 2009- Ottawa Senator rookie Erik Karlsson sticks out his tongue while taking part in an informal skate at the Bell Sensplex. Wayne Cuddington/Postmedia
RALEIGH, NC - JANUARY 29: Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators and Team Staal arrives at the NHL All-Star red carpet part of 2011 NHL All-Star Weekend on January 29, 2011 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Harry How/Getty Images
OTTAWA, ON: MARCH 13, 2012 -- Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators arrives at the train station prior to boarding the train to Montreal. The Ottawa Senators will take part in the Operation Montreal - Heritage Train trip to Montreal. A group of 280 people, including the entire Senators team, management, partners and fans, will board a Via Rail train and travel to Montreal in advance of Ottawa's game against the Montreal Canadiens on March 14 at the Bell Centre. In honour of the trip, the team will wear its heritage uniform during the March 14 game. Jean Levac/Postmedia
APRIL 20, 2010- Daniel Alfredsson leaves the bench while Chris Campoli, 14, Erik Karlsson, 65, and coach Cory Clouston have glum looks at the buzzer for the end of the third period as the Ottawa Senators meet the Pittsburgh Penguins at Scotiabank Place in game 4 of the Eastern Conference NHL playoffs. /Postmedia
Ottawa Senators' Erik Karlsson takes part in practice at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa on Wednesday, May 8, 2013. The Senators lead their playoff series 3-1 against the Montreal Canadiens. Sean Kilpatrick/THE CANADIAN PRESS
Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65), of Sweden, skates against New Jersey Devils center Sergey Kalinin (51), of Russia, during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016, in Newark, N.J. Julio Cortez/AP
The Ottawa Senators took part in their first day of training camp at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa Ontario Thursday Sept 17, 2015. Tony Caldwell/Postmedia
Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators talks about the passing of assistant coach Mark Reeds at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, April 14, 2015. Jean Levac/Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa Senators captain Erik Karlsson holds one of the dogs attending Hopeful Hearts dog rescue fundraising dinner at Salt restaurant on Preston st. on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014. James Park/Ottawa Citizen
Erik Karlsson listens to assistant coach Dave Cameron as the Ottawa Senators practice at Canadian Tire Centre. Assignment - 118750 // Photo taken at 12:03 on October 23, 2014. Wayne Cuddington/Postmedia
Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators practices during morning skate at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, September 24, 2014. Jean Levac/Postmedia
OTTAWA, ONTARIO: SEPTEMBER 16, 2011 -- Ottawa Senator Erik Karlsson as the NHL team goes through medicals and fitness testing September 16, 2011 at Scotiabank Place on the first day of training camp. Wayne Cuddington/Ottawa Citizen
Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators celebrates his shootout goal against the New Jersey Devils at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, April 10, 2014. For Ottawa Citizen story by , SPORTS Assignment #116698 Jean Levac/Postmedia
Erik Karlsson. Jean Levac/Postmedia
Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators during practice at the Bell Sensplex. Jean Levac/Postmedia
OTTAWA, ON: NOVEMBER 20, 2013 - Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators shows his dejection after the goal by Dany Heatley of the Minnesota Wild during second period of NHL action at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, November 20, 2013. Photo by Jean Levac/Ottawa Citizen For Ottawa Citizen story by , SPORTS Assignment #115212 ORG XMIT: POS1311202037404877 Jean Levac/Postmedia
JANUARY 12, 2013 -- Erik Karlsson has his eyes checked as the Ottawa Senator players participated in informal medical tests at Scotiabank Place in advance of the expected ratification of the new CBA agreement with the NHL. Wayne Cuddington/Postmedia
LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 20: Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators poses after winning the James Norris Memorial Trophy during the 2012 NHL Awards at the Encore Theater at the Wynn Las Vegas on June 20, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
FEBRUARY 24, 2012 --- Ottawa Senators practice at Bell Sensplex Friday. Here, Erik Karlsson takes the puck down the ice during a drill. Julie Oliver/Postmedia
FEBRUARY 21, 2012 -- Daniel Alfredsson and Erik Karlsson stretch as the Ottawa Senators practice at the Kanata Rec Centre, February 21, 2012. Wayne Cuddington/Postmedia
BUFFALO, NY - NOVEMBER 11: Erik Karlsson #65 of the Ottawa Senators warms up before playing against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center on November 11, 2011 in Buffalo, New York. Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images
Erik Karlsson has one more season remaining on his contract. The Senators can only make a formal offer for an extension on July 1, days after the NHL draft in Dallas this weekend. Harry How/Getty Images
Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators Jean Levac/Ottawa Citizen
TORONTO - OCTOBER 6: Erik Karlsson #65 of the Ottawa Senators carries the puck as he is defended by Ian White #7 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during their NHL game at the Air Canada Centre October 6, 2009 in Toronto, Ontario. Dave Sandford/Getty Images
Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson Ross D. Franklin/AP
Sunday marked the first time the Senators could start to formally negotiate a contract extension with Erik Karlsson, whose current deal expires in July 2019. Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images
Erik Karlsson's nameplate is seen in the Senators locker room during the team's season wrap-up on April 9. Justin Tang/THE CANADIAN PRESS
Fans hold up signs in support of Ottawa Senators captain Erik Karlsson (65) during the warm-up before NHL hockey action against the Winnipeg Jets at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa on Monday, April 2, 2018. PATRICK DOYLE/THE CANADIAN PRESS
Will the Senators trade captain Erik Karlsson ahead of the NHL draft on Friday? GETTY IMAGES
Erik Karlsson can become a free agent if his current contract expires in July 2019. The Senators offered their captain a long-term extension on Sunday. Jean Levac/Postmedia
BUFFALO, NY - DECEMBER 15: Erik Karlsson #65 of the Ottawa Senators prepares to play the Buffalo Sabres on December 15, 2014 at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York. Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images
Ottawa Senators defenceman Erik Karlsson Claus Andersen/Getty Images
Ottawa Senators captain Erik Karlsson speaks to reporters in the locker room during the team's season wrap up in Ottawa, Monday, April 9, 2018. Justin Tang/THE CANADIAN PRESS
Melinda and Erik Karlsson. Ashley Fraser / Postmedia
Senators captain Erik Karlsson and his wife, Melinda, are introduced at the Senators Soiree in Gatineau on Feb. 11. Patrick Doyle/Postmedia
Melinda and Erik Karlsson. Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
Melinda and Erik Karlsson. Ashley Fraser/Postmedia
Erik Karlsson discusses his future with the media as the Senators cleared out their lockers at Canadian Tire Centre in April. Wayne Cuddington/Postmedia
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dbrennan@postmedia.com
The captain’s ship has sailed.
As the Ottawa Senators officially opened training camp Thursday at the Canadian Tire Centre, two-time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson showed up to pack his bags after months of speculation ended when he was shown the way to San Jose. It’s a massive deal with the Sharks that could bring the Senators as many as eight assets.
While talks to deal Karlsson first started before last February’s trade deadline and heated up around free agency on July 1, general manager Pierre Dorion took action before the Senators could hit the ice Friday by dealing Karlsson and minor-league forward Francis Perron to the Sharks at approximately 2:30 p.m.
In return, the Senators will get a first-round pick in 2019 or 2020, centre Chris Tierney, a second-round pick in 2019 (the best of the two San Jose currently has), prospect centre Josh Norris, prospect Rudolfs Balcers and defenceman Dylan DeMelo.
The Senators will also receive a second-round pick in 2021 or a first-round pick. If the Sharks sign Karlsson or if the club reaches the Stanley Cup final, it will be automatically become a first-rounder. The club is also protected if Karlsson is dealt to an Eastern team this season. In the event that happens, Ottawa will receive San Jose’s top pick in 2021 or 2022.
In the end, the Senators felt this was the right move at the right time. With the club in a full rebuild, Dorion thought he could get good return for Karlsson and, after he turned down an eight-year deal believed to be worth $88 milllion on July 1, the reality was this was going to happen.
“These things are never easy,” Dorion said. “We know we’re in a rebuild now and we know this is the best thing in the plan and the rebuild for us to have success. We felt that now is the time to trade Erik Karlsson.”
Karlsson didn’t take part in the medicals and wasn’t at the rink until the afternoon when he got word the deal was done. He likely knew this day was coming with all the talk that had been going on for months, but when he met with the media he was emotional at the microphone.
“I’m just going to speak from the heart,” said Karlsson, who was taken No. 15 overall in the 2008 draft held in Ottawa. “I wish we were standing here during different circumstances. It’s a very emotional and sad day for me and my family. It’s an unfortunate part of the business.”
Karlsson said Ottawa would be his home “forever,” and thanked the organization, along with the late Bryan Murray and former team captain Daniel Alfredsson.
“It’s very unfortunate that I’m going to have to move on professionally,” Karlsson said. “I don’t think I ever, in my wildest imagination, ever thought that I would leave this place, but unfortunately we’re here under these circumstances.”
Dorion said he had been working on this deal for a long time and felt the timing was right. The Senators also held serious talks with the Vegas Golden Knights, Dallas Stars and Tampa Bay Lightning, while there’s talk in league circles that the Columbus Blue Jackets also kicked the tires along with several other teams.
“This has been in the works for a while. We talked to multiple teams around draft time and after (July 1) trade talks heated up,” he said. “We didn’t feel (in July) we were getting the return for an Erik Karlsson-type of player. At this point, we definitely feel we got a very good return and six pieces that could end up being eight.”
Dorion told reporters in June “the dressing room was broken,” but he wasn’t pointing the finger at Karlsson for those issues.
“It wasn’t just about the captain, it was about everyone,” Dorion said. “We spoke about it (Tuesday) in our rebuild plan, we definitely know the room was broken, and that’s not always on one individual. We talked about that when I said that (in June), it was about the whole room being broken, and we didn’t want to point fingers at one person.”
And now life in Ottawa goes on without the captain.
“I was prepared to come here and work hard for this team,” Karlsson said. “I still have a year on my deal and, unfortunately, I couldn’t follow through.”
The decision to deal Karlsson isn’t going over well in Ottawa. Not only was he the club’s best player, he was also one of the most popular to ever pull on the jersey, second only to Alfredsson. Nine years ago, on Sept. 12, 2009, the Senators dealt winger Dany Heatley to the Sharks on the first day of camp.
“I don’t think that I could have ever prepared for this,” Karlsson said. “I’ve still got to wrap my head around what’s going on. It’s been happening really fast.”
Less than a year away from unrestricted free agency, Karlsson, 28, isn’t coming off his best season, but he’s arguably still one the NHL’s best defencemen with 126 goals and 518 points in 627 games.
The decision to trade Karlsson signals that the organization is entering a full rebuild, and the captain may not be the last player out of the door before the work is completed.
“In our discussion with the Sharks, they were the first team that stepped up to what we looking for,” Dorion said. “We knew. There was no time constraint, and we knew we were going to do the best deal for the organization, and, with training camp (starting), we just felt now was the right time to move forward with this team.”
The Senators decided Thursday it was time to turn the page and start a new chapter.
HERE’S THE DEAL
TO THE SHARKS: Erik Karlsson and Francis Perron
WHAT THEY GOT
First-round pick in 2019 or 2020
Centre Chris Tierney, who could be pencilled into a second-line role this season
Second-round pick, 2019
Prospect Josh Norris, a centre who is strong in all three zones.
Prospect Rudolfs Balcers, who scored 23 goals in the minors last season.
Defenceman Dylan DeMelo. The Senators like him in the No. 5 or No. 6 role.
Conditional picks
Second-round pick in 2021 (potential first). If the Sharks sign Karlsson or reach the Stanley Cup final, it becomes a first-round pick.
The Senators will receive a first-round pick from the Sharks in 2021 or 2022 if Karlsson is traded to an Eastern team this season.
bgarrioch@postmedia.com
Twitter: @sungarrioch
