The Ottawa Senators and Erik Karlsson are both working hard on making a deal happen by the trade deadline with the Tampa Bay Lightning being the leading candidate to acquire the star defenseman, according to Elliotte Friedman Saturday on Hockey Night in Canada.
“Whatever gets said, the belief is the Ottawa Senators want to try to make this happen and Erik Karlsson wants it to happen, and they have been grinding away in the last two or three days to see if they can,” Friedman said. “Obviously Tampa Bay is a leading contender, I think they’ve thrown several different proposals at each other.”
While negotiations haven’t reached their final stages, other teams have also shown interest in Karlsson, including the Nashville Predators, San Jose Sharks and the Vegas Golden Knights.
The idea that Karlsson could end up in Tampa Bay is not unrealistic considering he is close friends with fellow Swede Victor Hedman. The two playing on the Lightning’s blueline could be the ultimate piece for a team that want to win a Stanley Cup this year. However, what would be the cost? While Tampa Bay has quite a lot of solid prospects they could deal, Ottawa would almost definitely be looking for a major piece from the team’s active roster with names such as Brayden Point, Yanni Gourde and Vladislav Namestnikov, rumored to be names that Ottawa would want back.
“I’m sure the names Brayden Point and Yanni Gourde have come up, but at the very least it might even cost them [Vladislav] Namestnikov and we know how important he is to the first line in Tampa Bay,” said Kypreos on the same segment of Hockey Night in Canada. “But Ottawa wants a major piece back.”
Friedman added in the segment that he believes if Ottawa is willing to accept Namestnikov as the centerpiece of the deal, “that’s something that Tampa would do.” However, the real question is what else would Ottawa want? The team is unlikely to part with 19-year-old Mikhail Sergachev, who seems to have turned the corner after recent struggles.
You also have to factor in the injury to Ondrej Palat, who is out for another two or three weeks with what many believe is a high ankle sprain. Does the team have enough depth to survive without a Namestnikov, who is a major influence on the team’s first line. The 25-year-old is having a breakout season with 20 goals and 24 assists in 62 games this year. He is only making $1.94MM this year, but will be a restricted free agent next year, which could make him harder to sign for the future.
I’ve been dreaming of him going to Toronto. But at what comparable cost? They would want Marner or Nylander to start with, and personally I’d be okay with that. Add in Dermott and a 1st, and that’s competitive with any offer from any team. Now go ahead Leafs fans! Jump down my throat and tell me how “they are untouchable!!” Nobody is untouchable outside of Matthews. You know who should be untouchable? Karlsson. How often do perennial Norris candidates like him come available? They’d be able to fit him in under the cap, and your featured 3 become Matthews, Nylander, and Karlsson. I know I know. It’s a dumb thought. Because Marner is the second coming of Patrick Kane and under no circumstances should he be traded.
As a Sens fan I would say that’s definitely a good start. I’d want Marner, Dermott and a 1st but it would take a few more b-prospect pieces as well like Leivo, Grundstrom and Nielsen to be involved too. Obviously not all of those pieces but some sort of combination with us throwing back some spare parts. I hope your fellow Leaf fans don’t jump down your throat. It’s a realistic proposal you made lol.
There’s tons of other Leafs prospects Ottawa would have interest in. Bracco, Rasanen, even Liljegren. And trust me, any time I suggest trading Marner I get crucified. Ideally, keeping Liljegren would be ideal and allow his idol EK to teach him the ropes. If Liljegren is in the deal, I’d suggest no Marner or Nylander. Point is, there are plenty of prospects in the Leafs cupboards and plenty of potential deals to be made. If he goes to Tampa, Leafs can kiss any Cup dream goodbye for the next 2 years anyways.
Toronto could include a piece like Gardiner going back. He would be superfluous if Karlsson was a Leaf. Something like Gardiner, Marner and depth like Leivo. Any pick would be unnecessary.
So you’re saying a top 4 dman, a top 9 forward (who as you call depth), and a top 6 forward (with alot of upside) is enough for one of the top 3-4 dmen in the league? Ottawa would laugh at that deal. They’re not sending Karlsson in-division for that.
Marner, Gardiner, Leivo and a 1st would be competitive with any offer from Tampa. It’ll be interesting to see what happens with him.
No, don’t get rid of Marner, he’s a good player and good looking
Thanks Babs lol Karlsson isn’t ugly either
He’s no Marner though, no homo
Karlsson’s got my vote.
That’s most fans in any sport lol. Their prospects/young players are the second comings of some star player in the league and including them in a deal for a current star player is outrageous.
Of course most Leafs fans would suggest JVR and Bozak and a 1st should be plenty! Even add in Leivo. Ottawa would be crazy not to accept those pending free agents in their rebuild.
He SHOULD be untouchable. But that organization is a train wreck and it all starts with Melynk. A fish rots from its head.
Yes he should be, so when a chance to trade for him comes around, for one of the TOP defencemen in the WORLD, one of the best since Lidstrom, who is ONLY 27 years old, you trade guys like Marner to get that.
McDonagh for EK straight up
lmao will take more then that karlsoon is once in a generation defenseman mcdonagh is not from a wings fan
Alright Ken Holland. ik we fans have been down your throat about rebuilding…but f what we think and get Karlsson!! lmao
And are you prepared to move Larkin or AA for him? That or the team guts the farm or trades multiple firsts/second rounders for him.
Sergachev, two firsts, Raddysh, and Foote for Karlsson, Melnyk, and Boucher
I hear the Penguins are a dark horse for Karlsson