Erik Karlsson Trade Talks Have Stalled
Over the past few days, it seemed like a trade for all-world defenseman Erik Karlsson was imminent. Originally, the Dallas Stars were confirmed to be the leader in the race and deep in talks with the Ottawa Senators on a deal for Karlsson. Not long after, it was the Tampa Bay Lightning who had reportedly pulled ahead and had a deal in place with Ottawa that simply required a third team to take on salary. Some even stated that a deal was done pending a trade call, a rumor that obviously lacked reliability. Karlsson remains a Senator and it now seems like a trade is not coming as quickly as expected.
The Athletic’s Joe Smith, who has had his finger on the pulse of the Lightning’s trade talks, is no longer optimistic about a deal getting done. Smith writes that a deal for Karlsson should not be expected any time soon and that nothing is “imminent or close”. Smith admits that a trade could still work out between Ottawa and Tampa, but it’s no longer the foregone conclusion that some had perceived. Meanwhile the Stars are rumored to have fallen out of favor when they refused to include star blue line prospect Miro Heiskanen in a deal for Karlsson. Sportsnet’s John Shannon believes that the Stars still have a chance to land Karlsson, but it seems that Dallas’ chances depend on whether or not they can be flexible with their offer.
The Senators now have a feel for the market and should be able to work out a fair value for Karlsson soon. However, what isn’t so easy is accommodating their insistence on also sending away Bobby Ryan and his $7.25MM cap hit over four years remaining on his contract. Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston reports today that this is the exact reason that finding a trade partner and working out the details of a deal could prove difficult. A three-team deal, like the one contemplated by Ottawa and Tampa Bay, is the most likely outcome for a Karlsson trade, but such deals don’t develop overnight. A trade could still be a ways away – The Athletic’s Chris Stevenson says that the Lightning, Stars, and Vegas Golden Knights all remain in the running – but Stevenson also says that nothing is close as the Senators have “retrenched” and the suitors are playing hardball. It seems that whichever team is able to up the ante on their offer and also be creative in managing several major contracts will be the team to land Karlsson and change the face of their franchise.
Golden Knights Re-Sign Oscar Dansk To Two-Year Deal
The Golden Knights have inked another goaltender, announcing the re-signing of Oscar Dansk to a two-year contract. The deal will carry a cap hit of $675K.
The 24-year-old returned to North America last season after spending two seasons in the SHL, joining Vegas as a minor league netminder. However, as both Marc-Andre Fleury and Malcolm Subban went down with injuries, Dansk was thrust into the starting role. He fared quite well in that situation, posting a 1.78 GAA and a .946 SV% before suffering a lower-body injury that cost him nearly half the season.
Upon getting the green light to return late in January, he went back to AHL Chicago where he put up solid numbers as well with a GAA of 2.44 and a save percentage of .918. However, short of a brief stint as an emergency recall, he didn’t spend any more time with the Golden Knights.
Next season, it’s likely that Dansk will battle for playing time at the AHL level with Maxime Lagace and recently-signed netminder Zach Fucale. Youngster Dylan Ferguson can also turn pro but Vegas could opt to keep him in junior hockey instead where he’d be guaranteed more playing time.
Poll: Where Will Erik Karlsson Play In 2018-19?
Since John Tavares decided on the Toronto Maple Leafs as his destination of choice in free agency, all eyes have turned to another Ontario-based superstar who might be changing locales in short order. Erik Karlsson has been given the opportunity to negotiate extensions with potential acquiring teams, and seems destined to be moved at some point in the next few days or weeks. The Ottawa Senators captain has one year left on his current contract, and was reportedly offered an eight-year, $80MM extension by the team. That number comes in slightly below the contract given to Drew Doughty (eight years, $88MM) which is seen by many as the measuring stick for Karlsson’s next deal.
Recently it was reported that the Dallas Stars had the inside track on any Karlsson trade, and as recently as a few hours ago Chris Stevenson of The Athletic tweeted that talks are ongoing between the two teams. The Stars have plenty of young talent, including Finnish defensemen Julis Honka and Miro Heiskanen, and are looking to compete while Jamie Benn, John Klingberg and Tyler Seguin are still in their prime. A Karlsson deal would make them immediate contenders, though it would obviously cost a ton in assets and salary.
The Tampa Bay Lightning, Vegas Golden Knights, New York Islanders and even Columbus Blue Jackets have been mentioned among other teams as potential destinations, and it is not clear at this point who will win out and land the two-time Norris Trophy winner. It’s not even guaranteed that Karlsson will move on from Ottawa, which he’s called his home for many years and could potentially still increase their offer to retain him should the offered packages not live up to their expectations.
Where do you think Karlsson will start the 2018-19 season? Vote below and make sure to leave your thoughts in the comment section.
Which team will Erik Karlsson play for at the start of the 2018-19 season?
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Vegas Golden Knights 27% (773)
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Dallas Stars 23% (644)
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Other (leave in comments) 19% (549)
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Ottawa Senators 10% (289)
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New York Islanders 10% (286)
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Tampa Bay Lightning 10% (279)
Total votes: 2,820
[Mobile users click here to vote!]
Ottawa Offers Erik Karlsson Contract Extension
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.”
Golden Knights Re-Sign Lagace, Sign Fucale And Carr
The Vegas Golden Knights are keeping the goalie pipeline well-stocked and continue to add competition at forward. As beat writer David Schoen details, winger Daniel Carr and goaltender Zach Fucale join Paul Stastny, Nick Holden, and Curtis McKenzie as newcomers to Vegas. Keeper Maxime Lagace has also re-signed with the team on a one-year, two-way deal worth $650K. Carr signed a one-year, one-way deal worth $750K, while terms for Fucale have not yet been disclosed.
Carr and Fucale are coming over from the Montreal Canadiens organization, and should help to fill out the roster for the Chicago Wolves. Vegas won’t have the luxury of the St. Louis Blues sending their prospects to the Wolves any longer, meaning Vegas needed to add some players to the roster. Fucale gives them another goaltending option, though the 23-year old still hasn’t been able to find much consistency since turning pro. Last season he posted just an .890 save percentage for Laval. Carr on the other hand made a mark for the Canadiens, scoring 16 points in 38 games. That production may give him a chance at the Vegas roster, though it’s obviously not a guarantee.
Lagace made his NHL debut for the Golden Knights this year, filling in while the team was dealing with multiple injuries. In 17 games he posted just an .867 save percentage, but did enough to keep the team afloat through the early part of the season. They’ve rewarded him with another year, though it would be need to be another dire situation to see him in the NHL.
Golden Knights Sign Forward Curtis McKenzie
The Vegas Golden Knights add another name to the mix up front, signing former Dallas Stars forward Curtis McKenzie. Sportsnet’s Rich Dhaliwal reports that it is a two-year, $1.5MM contract for the high-scoring AHLer. At just $750K AAV, McKenzie should compete for a regular job next season as an affordable depth option.
The 27-year-old already has some NHL experience as he has played in 99 games so far in his career, including 53-game season for the Stars during the 2016-17 season in which he tallied six goals and 16 points. However, he was not able to crack Ken Hitchcock‘s rotation last year, spending the majority of his season with the Texas Stars where he posted 25 goals and 48 points, including being a major factor in the Texas Stars’ playoff run that got them to the Calder Cup Finals. He tallied 11 goals and 20 points in 22 playoff games.
The AHL veteran will have a tough time winning a spot on the Golden Knights bottom-six, but will be a great depth option as well as beef up their minor-league system as the one-year expansion team still has much work to add to their prospect pool.
Anaheim Ducks Sign Swedish Forward Anton Rodin
The Ducks are importing some scoring help for the coming season. Sportsnet reports that Anaheim has signed Anton Rodin, a former Swedish Hockey League MVP and brief member of the Vancouver Canucks. Rodin finished the 2017-18 season with HC Davos of the Swiss NLA, but will now return to North America to join the Ducks. Contract terms are not yet available.
Rodin, a second-round pick back in 2009, has had trouble making his mark in the NHL. He came over to the U.S. for the 2011-12 season, but found himself playing in the AHL for next two seasons without a callup, prompting the Swede to return to the SHL, the next season, which is where he stayed for another three years. He returned to Vancouver and got into three NHL games, but spent most of his time with the Utica Comets before asking for his release in November of this season.
Vegas Signs Nick Holden To Two-Year Deal
The Vegas Golden Knights are adding a reliable body to the blue line, reportedly adding defenseman Nick Holden. While the team has yet to officially announce the deal, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports that Holden will sign for two years at $4.4MM, with an AAV of just over $2MM. The Golden Knights outbid the Boston Bruins who trying to keep him in the fold.
Holden provides the Golden Knights depth after the team parted ways from Luca Sbisa and a two-year deal keeps the team nice and short, which is what the Golden Knights were able to do with center Paul Stastny, who signed a three-year pact. Holden provides Vegas with a veteran defensive presence, but his best attribute is his size as he stands 6-foot-4.
Holden spent the last two years with the New York Rangers, but was traded at the deadline for a third-round pick and a lower-tier prospect to the Boston Bruins. However, the 31-year-old blueliner’s game is starting to decline as his numbers dropped from a year ago. After an 11 goal and 34 point season in 2016-17, he finished with four goals and 17 points between the two teams this season.
Free Agent Notes: Holden, Ellis, Namestnikov, Wilson
The Vegas Golden Knights already surprised a few when they reached out and stole Paul Stastny away from Western Conference rival Winnipeg. However, the Golden Knights are apparently not done as The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reports that Vegas is the front-runner for unrestricted free agent defenseman Nick Holden.
Holden, who spent time with both the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins last season, would be a solid depth defenseman that could add to Vegas’ core. he averaged 19:00 ATOI between both clubs, but only posted four goals and 17 points on the year. However, the 31-year-old may be starting to show a decline in skills as he was a 34-point player in 2016-17 with the Rangers.
Incidentally, Holden is being pursued by two teams as the Boston Bruins are also vying for the blueliner’s services, according to Sportsnet’s Mark Spector. The Bruins, after all, gave up a third-round pick and low-end prospect Rob O’Gara at the deadline.
- LeBrun also mentions that while Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis, who will be a unrestricted free agent in one year, can sign an extension as of today. However, the scribe writes that Nashville isn’t there yet. They intend to reignite talks with Ellis and his representatives within the next one to two weeks. Nashville wants to keep Ellis in the fold at all costs as the team has put major emphasis on having a dominant four defense. The team already has P.K. Subban ($9MM AAV) and Mattias Ekholm ($3.75MM AAV) locked up for four years, while Roman Josi ($4MM AAV) is signed for another two years.
- The New York Rangers can breathe easier after the agent for restricted free agent Vladislav Namestnikov, Dan Milstein, refuted rumors that the forward was leaving for the KHL. Namestnikov, who was acquired from Tampa Bay at the trade deadline, but saw his playing time drop once he arrived in New York. After averaging 17:30 of ATOI as a Lightning, his playing time dropped to 15:43, along with his offensive production. After potting 20 goals with Tampa Bay, he managed just four points in 19 games with the Rangers. However, Milstein insists the rumors are not true and that Namestnikov believes playing in the NHL is a privilege and honor and an extension is in the works with the New York Rangers.
- Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports the Buffalo Sabres are currently working on re-signing winger Scott Wilson. The 26-year-old was picked up in a December trade this last season from the Detroit Red Wings and played a regular role as a bottom-six forward. After not scoring a point in 17 games with Detroit, he tallied six goals and 14 points in 49 games in Buffalo.
Vegas Golden Knights To Sign Paul Stastny
11:20 AM: TSN’s Darren Dreger reports (Twitter link) that Stastny has agreed to sign a three-year contract with Vegas, while McKenzie later adds that the deal will carry an average annual value of $6.5MM.
8:13 AM: Even though there was a ton of speculation that Paul Stastny was headed back to Winnipeg—especially after the Jets cleared room by moving out Steve Mason‘s $4.1MM cap hit—it seems there is a new contender for the veteran center. Bob McKenzie of TSN reports that the Vegas Golden Knights are the frontrunners for Stastny, who is one of the top free agents set to hit the open market.
Stastny, 32, is hitting free agency at a perfect time as he’s one of the few real top-six center options available behind John Tavares. That earned him a third-place finish on our Top 50 Free Agent list, and should provide a huge contract that will likely take him close to retirement. After being acquired midseason by the Jets, Stastny showed why he was well respected around the league with a solid 15 points in 17 playoff games. The veteran pivot anchored the team’s second line, and provided a boost to their special teams units. If he does end up in Vegas, he’ll be asked to do much of the same and replace some of the offense that the team seems set to lose with David Perron and James Neal.
With 53 points in 2017-18, Stastny actually registered a better offensive season than he’d had in several years, which may give pause to someone offering him a multi-year contract. There is a solid argument that Stastny will never hit the 50-point or 20-goal mark again, which adds some doubt to his effectiveness for Vegas or any other team going forward. The Golden Knights though shouldn’t be doubted, as under head coach Gerard Gallant last season almost every player on the roster achieved new heights in terms of offensive performance.
If Stastny does turn down Winnipeg and head to the desert, it will be interesting to see where the Jets move next. While they have plenty of cap space, they also have a huge amount of restricted free agents to sign this year and next. It’s possible they jump in on one of the other top free agent names, or potentially get involved in some of the high level trade discussions. Make no mistake, the Jets are in a win-now mode after their young team came together in 2017-18. Even without any additions they should be considered contenders, and with the prospect pool and cap space they still have, would be a tough team to write-off in any negotiation.