Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson remains the most prominent defenseman available on the trade front and it there have been a few times already when a move looked imminent. In an interview on TSN 1050 (audio link), TSN’s Darren Dreger noted that there is a growing sense that a trade could happen in the next day or two.
Similar to what happened with the Canadiens and Max Pacioretty, the beginning of training camp could serve as an artificial deadline in an effort to try to get something done before Karlsson’s situation becomes the focal point of media attention.
Dreger noted that the Stars, who were at one point viewed as the front-runner for Karlsson’s services, do not appear to be in the hunt at the moment. He suggests that the recent managerial change in Tampa Bay could wind up sparking something while he believes that Vegas could still be in the mix as well despite moving one of their top trade chips in prospect Nick Suzuki to Montreal as part of the Pacioretty deal. David Schoen of the Las Vegas Review-Journal echoes that sentiment, adding (Twitter link) that the Golden Knights have upped their efforts to get a deal done. It’s believed that Ottawa has already turned down an offer that included six elements – two roster players, two prospects, and two draft picks although that was contingent on the acquiring team working out an extension.
Karlsson is in the final year of his contract with a $6.5MM cap hit and a $7.5MM salary. The Sens offered him a long-term extension when the window to do so opened up in July and it has previously been reported to range between $10MM and $11MM per season but it was quickly rejected. It’s likely that if and when he does get moved, his new deal should still wind up between those two amounts.
The 28-year-old is coming off of a bit of a quieter year by his standards but still put up 62 points (9-53-62) in 71 games while logging 26:44 per night, his lowest average since 2011-12. However, he was slowed down at the beginning of the year with an ankle issue but indicated earlier this summer that he has fully recovered from it.
Karlsson’s status has been one of the dominant storylines of the offseason but it appears that this one could be coming to an end sooner rather than later.
nylander, Carrick, next year 1st for karlsson
I like that trade for the Leafs. If Nylander is expecting 8+ million per year, I’d rather lock up EK to an extension for a small 2 million more.
Ottawa was said to want rid of Ryan’s contract as well, so what about Ryan and Karlsson for Nylander, Gardiner and a first.
Where are the Leafs getting $15 million/yr to pay Ryan and Karlsson, plus finding money to resign Marner and Matthews?
The same place they’d find the cap room to pay Nylander 7-8 million and Gardiner 6+ million to keep him as a free agent. Right now they have around 13 million in cap space. It’s not that unreasonable to believe they can find a way to make it work.
Don’t forget they still have Horton on the payroll haha, who’s yet to be placed on LTIR. They actually had to sign Tavares just to make the cap floor haha. So they have over $18.5m to play with. And though it may not be for a couple more years, there’s a pending expansion draft to help alleviate future cap concerns.
yes bit this year is not the issue it’s future years. no way are the leafs trading for karlsson if Ryan is attached, and no way they give up nylander for 1 year of karlsson. that being said, if he’s looking to make 10.5 million let’s say and nylander wants about 7, the 4 million can be made up next year by letting Gardner walk. The leafs have depth on d with young players who just need to learn and they won’t learn anything from watching Jake tuck his tail and run like he normally does.
I highly doubt the sens will move Ryan. they have tried to play the “we aren’t lowering our asking price but you have to take this albatross contract off our hands” and that hasn’t worked. The only way they move Ryan is if they have confidence in signing Duchene and stone long term and are comfortable taking a lot less back for EK
I can’t see the Senators trading Karlsson to the Leafs unless the Leafs overpay. The Senators aren’t going to want to trade their best player to their hated provincial rival. Nylander, Carrick & 1st won’t be enough for the Sens to trade Karlsson to the Leafs
The recent managerial trade in Tampa doesn’t change anything. The Lightning still don’t have the cap space going forward to sign Karlsson to a long-term extension. The players they would want to move out to create cap space have full or partial no-trade clauses. They also have Point & Gourde who are free agents after this season & only 3 defensemen signed beyond this season. Tampa would have to move out a couple contracts to be able to sign Karlsson, keep Point & Gourde and fill out their defense. The managerial change doesn’t change those facts.
The 6 piece trade was almost certainly from Dallas. No one has offered more, not sure why they consider them out…
Except for the fact Jim Nill has tight lips.. I could see San Jose making a good offer too..