After the Ottawa Senators offered superstar defenseman Erik Karlsson a contract that was not well-received, the team gave interested competitors the permission to speak to him about contract terms. NBC Sports’ Kathryn Tappen reported that the Senators’ offer was for eight years at $10MM per season, an amazing amount of money to a layperson but truthfully an insult to Karlsson in light of recent contracts signed by Drew Doughty and John Tavares. As such, Tappen and others have added that other teams are now in hot pursuit and serious trade talks are underway.
As of this evening, the leader in those talks are the Dallas Stars. The Athletic’s Chris Stevenson has heard from a source in the NHL that the Stars have emerged as a front runner for Karlsson and that Dallas and Ottawa are deep in talks about a trade that would include the Norris Trophy winner but not overpaid forward Bobby Ryan, a major hindrance in many teams’ acquisition plans. Stevenson is based in Ottawa and is allegedly close to the Senators and his The Athletic colleague in Dallas, Sean Shapiro, says that he has also heard that the Stars are legitimately interested and that a hypothetical deal is a real possibility.
Immediately, the question is what the potential return for the Senators could be that would both pry Karlsson out of Ottawa but also keep Ryan there. Shapiro believes that any deal for Karlsson would have to include young defenseman Julius Honka, while Ottawa may actually prefer a more established name like Esa Lindell. It would also make sense for the Sens to target the Stars top blue line prospect, 2017 third overall pick Miro Heiskanen. Others who could be part of the package include young two-way centers Radek Faksa or Devin Shore, recently re-acquired winger Valeri Nichushkin, and project forward Riley Tufte. While only time will tell if a trade is completed and what the pieces will be, this is the first time that any specific team has been confirmed to be in real trade talks for Karlsson and it now seems like only a matter of time before the all-word defender is traded, to Dallas or elsewhere.
Nill better not screw this up!
not sure karlsson would have taken 8x$12 million to play for this owner.
that being said Dallas makes sense as he would reunite with methot.
If I’m the sens I want shore and Ritchie plus. If you’re Dallas though, wonder if they are willing to include more or retain salary to send spezza back.
they can have Ritchie and Honka. Heiskanen and Tufte better be off the table.
I’m hoping Lindell and Heisk and Faksa all remain in green.
why? you understand karlsson is a 2 time Norris winner and 2 time runner up.
If I were the Stars I would give them whoever to an extent. Who knows if those guys will actually be that good? And they for sure aren’t going to be as good as Karlsson is.
Ya there are few players in the league you don’t make available for Karlsson
No way he should make more than Doughty. He can’t defend the way Doughty can
You don’t need to defend when you always have the puck. Doughty is not the player Karlsson is.
this exactly. but I’m only ok with giving up Lindell, Honka, and Ritchie. And maybe some draft picks.
Youre right Doughty is overall a better D-Man lol
They’re both great. Both different. Splitting hairs
Yep, doughtys better. That’s why he’s got more Norris’ and didn’t need to be gifted any /s
He’s actually an elite defender. Check his stats and analytics and you’ll see that Karlsson, like Klingberg from Stars, are two of the best
defenders in NHL.
I wish I could be insulted with an 80mil offer
You and me both brother, heck let’s split it
The Stars have a prospect named Denis Gurianov who looked like a poor man’s Malkin at the WJC.
If they get Heiskanen, Gurianov, a few picks and another prospect, that would be a great haul for the Sens.
They should be willing to take back Jason Spezza for a farewell tour to get an extra asset.
Have you taken your meds today? That’s crazy talk!
Plus Ottawa needs to field a competitive team this year. Tanking and winning the draft lottery and sending the first overall pick to Colorado would be a failure of epic proportions.
Should pick up the phone to Dubas and ask for Nylander, Liljegren and a first.
leafs won’t give up liljegren. Gardner maybe but they need a RD with low salary
Karlsson is better than anything Liljegren will ever be. If the Leafs are serious about winning, adding Karlsson will help. Time to win now, might be harder 3-4 years from now when Liljegren starts contributing.
while I understand your point, the fact is you won’t be able to fit in arguably 3 players making 10 million + plus la a 7 million dollar marner 5 million dollar goalie, then have room for Reilly, Zaitsev, Kadri, etc. I mean right there 57 million is invested on 8 players.
Ottawa doesn’t do in division trades and especially not with Toronto. Don’t see that happening.
Um. Dion Phaneuf ring a bell? And while salary may be an issue eventually, this year there is plenty of room for Karlsson’s salary. This is the year to swing for the fences. When there is a lockout in a few years, who knows what will happen with the cap.
rock is also right that Ottawa won’t trade with Toronto and if they Do, the premium will be there.
that was a trade that worked out salary wise for both teams. this is a clear skill dump by the sens. not the same
@cjmask
The Phaneuf trade happened before Dorion became GM. Since he took over from Bryan Murray in April 2016, Dorion’s made 18 trades and not one has occurred with a division rival. Dorion’s also gone on record as saying he doesn’t do inter-division trades.
and it’s why he should be considered one of the worst GMs in the league.
so you truly think the Leafs should basically salvage the future for a shot at a cup for one year? if so I have to wonder… Brian Burke is that you?
No im saying Karlsson is a perennial Norris candidate, one of the top defencemen of this era, and if he can be brought in for prospects and draft picks and maybe a roster player like Nylander, I’d do that trade for sure. I can’t remember the last time a star of his caliber has been available in any trade.
sure but there is a cap. If you want him for one season sure but I expect every team would only give up an elite package for karlsson if he is there minimum 7 years. and unfortunately if the Leafs want him, more than nylander would need to go to make the money work.
The Stars aren’t giving up Heiskanen. He’s the one untouchable prospect.
No whammys! No whammys! Please let his happen. I heard the offer was Honka, Dickinson,Gurianov,2019 1st round pick and possibly Devin Shore. Lock it up Nill! Send the plane!
Only one I would feel bad about losing is Dickinson…and that 1st will be in the mid 20’s so screw it. Dallas can’t draft worth crap anyways.. Gurianov was a healthy scratch in the Calder cup finals. Honka doesn’t fit in well in the locker room apparently and he looked like hot garbage at the Worlds.
It’s Honka, Gurianov, Dickinson 2019 1st round pick and possibly shore. I’ll drive them all to the airport!
Still think Vegas is the spot for him, but if Dallas is willing to give up Heiskanen + Gurianov + a 1st I could see it.
It will take Heiskanen to land him.
This is long from over,other teams are watching with plenty of cap space and assets
Only you need to be a team that can win soon. Don’t think Buffalo is going to make a play on him despite cap space