The Ottawa Senators kept to their word Sunday as the team offered superstar defenseman Erik Karlsson a contract extension, according to NHL.com’s David Satriano. Terms of the extension offer were not disclosed. Despite the rumors of unhappiness with the ownership and his not willing to accept a “hometown” discount that has led to quite a bit of trade speculation over the past six months, general manager Pierre Dorion said the team had to make one final effort to keep Karlsson in the fold.
“We don’t really want to talk about roster players, contract negotiations, trades, all these things, but I think we owe it to our fans and we made a promise at the town hall that we would make a contract offer to Erik Karlsson and we’ve done so,” Dorion said Sunday.
Karlsson is in the last year of a seven-year, $45.5MM deal that he signed in 2012, which looks like a bargain as his AAV sits at just $6.5MM. However, with the sudden increase in salaries for star defenseman having increased, it’s likely that a new Karlsson deal will break the bank. Several defenseman have cashed in over the past few days, including Drew Doughty (eight years, $88MM, $11MM AAV), Oliver Ekman-Larsson (eight years, $66MM, $8.25MM AAV) and John Carlson (eight years, $64MM, $8MM AAV).
With increased trade rumors over the past week, there still hasn’t been a trade yet. The team has made it clear to teams that they are asking for a big return for their superstar center and have made it even more challenging for teams as they want the team also to take on the contract of Bobby Ryan, which still has four year left at $7.25MM. The Vegas Golden Knights have been the most talked about team since the trade deadline to get a deal done and they still could, but nothing has materialized yet. The Senators still have hope that Karlsson will sign an extension.
“I think Erik wants to be a Senator for life,” Dorion said then. “I don’t want to speak for him, I’ll let him speak for himself. We’ll see what the next few months bring, but if Erik Karlsson is here on July 1, we will be making him a contract offer.”
The latest news is the Sens have given permission to other teams to speak to Erik and his reps to discuss a potential contract.
Any way karlson ends up on maple leafs? They have a wealth of centers and prospects and no real top defensemen, add in erik would make them lethal from end to end.
I’ve debated that idea before. If you’re trading Nylander, Karlsson would be the best target available. Nylander, Dermott and a first. Problem is, Ottawa wants to include Ryan in any deal and I don’t think there is any way the Leafs can make that work.
the only way that happens and I brought it up a few days ago is if they are willing to part with a 1st, nylander and Gardner and even that likely isn’t going to do it as the sens would be too cheap to pay nylander AND Gardner and would not wan5 to trade in the division. look at the Hoffman trade. this FO is incompetent and not only will they chase the face of their franchise out of town but they’ve done it for the goalie who only last off-season wanted to retire here, alienated their former captain, and in the span of just over 2 offseasons will have lost 3 of their top 4 dmen who got them to the conference final.
Wait until Ottawa wins the draft lottery next year and gives the first overall pick away to Colorado. Can’t forget that genius move.
Have to remember that the price is going to be jacked up solely because it would in-division, to a Canadian rival. That package alone might barely be enough for Karlsson before adding in more for the in-division factor.
How much did the in division factor in to the Phaneuf trade? I don’t really believe it would be an issue, if Toronto can offer the best package, Dorion should take it regardless of division.
And they probably wouldn’t take that offer
Really I think it would depend on what other offers are made. Can’t afford to lose him for nothing.
As a blues fan, would our top 2 prospects and Joel edmundson and jay bouwmeister be enough?