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Erik Karlsson recently spoke up and essentially said he is not going to accept less than he is worth on his next contract, be it in Ottawa or elsewhere. In other words: no hometown discount.
This seems to have ruffled some feathers in the Senators organization and started a lot of speculation about what could happen with Karlsson down the road.
In this edition of the hotstove, we share our thoughts on how the Senators should handle the Karlsson contract situation.
Todd Cordell
I think Ottawa should give Erik Karlsson a blank check and let him do the rest. If he wants the max, he gets the max.
It's tougher for superstars in hockey to make as much of an impact as some other sports, but Karlsson is one of the few who dramatically changes any game he is involved in and is definitely worth paying up for. Players like Karlsson rarely come around so you simply can't let them get away.
In saying that, I think the Senators *may* have to consider moving him down the line if they're a) not prepared to give him what he deserves or; b) are going to cut costs elsewhere as a result. Keeping Karlsson around long-term is pointless if you're not going to spend money to give him a legitimate supporting cast.
Simply put, if the Sens ever want to accomplish anything they should pay up for Karlsson without thinking twice. If it's all about money for ownership, the Sens might as well move Karlsson for some high-end, cost-controlled young assets.
Peter Tessier
This is a variable that no GM wants but there's a way out but both parties need to do this in a different way. First off, Karlsson is being honest about what he wants but is he being honest with the team? Stirring the pot like this could simply be a way of saying- I want to leave now because this team is not going in the direction I like.
So the two have to sit down and figure out if there is some level of agreement in the next deal should they want one. If they are way off, and it's likely they are, can they get closer together and under what timeline? After that Ottawa should find out what Karlsson wants, contender, salary, location, all or some combination and then ask who fits his wishlist.
Sure it sounds like catering to Karlsson but you get one chance to sort this out and get the return you want while he still has an affordable 6 mill deal for one more year. Every GM with a brain is going to lineup and to make an offer, and they should but they need to know the parameters for the player and this is best kept away from media if possible. Ottawa can change the trajectory of their franchise with this deal, being thorough is the only way to do this and that has to involve Karlsson.
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