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Report: Erik Karlsson Contract Negotiations Taking Intriguing Turn?

February 13, 2012, 12:26 PM ET [40 Comments]
Travis Yost
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Contract negotiations between Erik Karlsson - represented by Don Meehan and the Newport Group - and the Ottawa Senators front office - led by GM Bryan Murray, et al. - cuold take an intriguing turn, one that would bode well for the development of the Ottawa Senators franchise in the long-term.

Although widely regarded as a utopian thought in the off-season, it appears that the Ottawa Senators brass will push hard in the upcoming month to ink Erik Karlsson to just a three-year extension. Many have speculated that the venerable twenty-one year old talent was well on his way to an abusrdly lofty pay day, but early evidence suggests that the amicable relationship between the two sides could pay dividends on both ends.

Why the three-year deal? Well, simple. If Erik Karlsson signs an extension for three more years, with his contract expiring in the 2014-2015 season, he'll still be regarded as an RFA by league standards. Simply incredible. With just six years of NHL service and under the required age of twenty-seven, Erik Karlsson couldn't fulfill either of the UFA requirements, and would remain Ottawa Senators restricted property at the next round of contract negotiations.

The reason why many expected this when initially proposed around the blogosphere is quite logical - it doesn't make any sense for Don Meehan and the Newport Group to sign a deal that hurts the overall value and bargaining leverage of their player. Erik Karlsson's absolutely earned a near mega-deal with another ridiculous season (9G/41A in 57 GP), and there's no reason to deny the talented Swedish defenseman the contract he's rightfully deserved.

Naturally, Don Meehan and the Newport Group will push for the multi-year deal, one that will eat up his RFA status and make him a UFA - potentially one of the highest sought after - when his new deal expires. And, they'd even sacrifice a dollar or two to get that kind of position.

The X-Factor in all of this is Erik Karlsson. He's been adamant that he wants to continue playing in Ottawa - so much so, that his camp is actually listening to the shorter-term deal being offered up by Bryan Murray. Three years, RFA rights.

The trade-off? Ottawa's front office could put together a ridiculous three-year deal in terms of number, one that'd entice Don Meehan and the Newport Group to budge a bit on term. Thanks to all of the salary cap room, Ottawa can afford to up the ante regarding total dollars spent. Could Erik Karlsson grab a $6.5M per contract? North?

If he's coming down on years, there's no way the deal gets done unless they spend and spend heavily through 2014-2015.

An interesting twist, no doubt about it.

Back with more tomorrow.

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