You don't really need any source let alone three, this was widely reported with quotes from Karlsson's own mouth 4 days ago by the Swedish paper Expressen and re-reported everywhere.
https://www-expressen-se....x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp
Obviously the Sharks are in a rebuild right now, would you be okay with staying with the organization for the four seasons remaining on your deal given where you are in your career?
- No I am not. I like San Jose and I like it there, but I've never been able to win before. I want that chance now that I'm at the end of my career. I have been open about that with Mike from the first day he started. He hasn't had any problems with it. We understand each other and we will do so regardless of what happens in the future.
Do you want to go to a specific place? Team, division or conference?
- No, I am open in this process. I don't have a chosen destination, I just want the best chance to get to the best team. Where it is, well, we'll see. I think San Jose appreciated that I was honest with them, because this is a complicated thing to go through. I make what I make and the salary cap ($83.5 million next season) has barely gone up in three years so the money is starting to run out a little here and there.
Pittsburgh is reported to be first in line right now, have you talked to them?
- Yes I have. I've talked to some teams, Pittsburgh is one of them. I have played against them for many years and have a good grasp of that group of players that are there.
Is that the team's new general manager Kyle Dubas you spoke to then? Or Jason Spezza, who you played with in Ottawa?
- Me and Spezza have talked a lot, but we have been friends since before. There has been no business there. We also talked when he was in Toronto. It's more on a friendship level, I'd say. I've talked to the people I need to talk to in Pittsburgh and Dubas is of course one of them. It feels like I've tried to get as much information as I can from the teams that are interesting. How they look at me, what they want. I will try to make a decision based on the information I received. I want to make the best decision for me and my family, if this goes all the way.
Is Carolina one of the teams you talked to as well?
- Yep.
Toronto, Seattle?
- I have spoken with Seattle, yes, also some with Toronto. There have been a few more teams as well.
Quite a few, anyway.
- Yes, there is interest. Then it's about getting everything together. That's the hard part. We'll see if it works out.
Got Pittsburgh at the top of your list?
- Well, I don't have a priority list. I am very open, because I think that will lead to the best option in the end.
