On Erik Karlsson …
John Shannon: If you were wondering when the Ottawa Senators deadline is to trade Erik Karlsson, it is February 25th, 2019 – next year’s trade deadline day.
Jesse Montano: Elliotte Friedman said that he was informed that Erik Karlsson is only interested in signing an extension with the Tampa Bay Lightning at this point. Reports from the Ottawa Sun are that it’s likely he joins the Lightning.
Joe Smith: Have been hearing talk that the Lightning could be an eventual landing spot for Erik Karlsson. It wouldn’t be a surprise, but there are no guarantees. Just a couple days about the Stars were the front-runners. The Lightning may need to get a third team involved at some point to move out salary.
Chris Nichols: Elliotte Friedman on his podcast: “I think Yzerman is going to swing big. I think he’s looking at right-hand D. I think there’s a Tavares counter maybe coming somewhere, whether it’s right-hand D or somewhere else.”
Chris Nichols: Friedman continues: “I think Tampa is going to like the challenge of, ‘Everybody loves Toronto right now, they’re the betting favorite.'” “I think Tampa will relish the challenge of Toronto.”
Sean Shapiro: The Stars were close to making a trade a couple days ago, but the Senators waited it out, and other teams offers have increased.
Chris Stevenson: The Stars haven’t been willing to include defensive prospect Miro Heiskanen in a Karlsson trade, which is looking like a deal breaker for the Senators GM Pierre Dorion. Dorion is sticking to his guns on this.
Chris Peters: Dorion should be sticking to guns. Heiskanen is the Stars top prospect, and “Erik Karlsson is Erik Karlsson.”
Jesse Montano: “Important to keep in mind with deals of this magnitude: everything is so fluid. There was a point recently where I really thought the Avs were going to get it done, then it was Dallas, now Tampa Bay. Things are constantly changing.”
Joe Smith: You would still have to the think that the Vegas Golden Knights would still be involved in trade talks.
Joe Smith: The Lightning haven’t approached forward Tyler Johnson about his no-trade clause that kicked in on July 1st.