Erik Karlsson deadline decisions loom for the Senators and a handful of other teams …
TSN 1200: Bob McKenzie said that the Senators are no longer just listening to calls on Erik Karlsson … They are actively negotiating with a few teams about different trade possibilities.
David Pagnotta: Erik Karlsson trade talks are picking up steam. The Tampa Bay Lightning and Vegas Golden Knights are both interested. Other teams also still interested. Bobby Ryan in a package isn’t an option for the Lightning, not sure about the Golden Knights.
Pierre LeBrun: Hearing that the San Jose Sharks are one of the teams have spoken with the Senators about Karlsson. Not sure if there is a match, but the Sharks are doing their due diligence.
Pierre LeBrun: The Sharks do have a ton of salary cap room so if they wanted to take on Bobby Ryan as well, it is possible. Not sure if it goes anywhere, and hard to see a fit, but….
Travis Jost: Source saying the Montreal Canadiens have been in talks with the Senators as potentially being the 3rd team in a deal.
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen: Senators GM Pierre Dorion will move Erik Karlsson if he gets an offer he can’t refuse. Attaching Bobby Ryan and his $7.5 million salary cap hit complicates it.
The Tampa Bay Lightning, Vegas Golden Knights, Nashville Predators and San Jose Sharks have been linked to Karlsson. The Sharks have the cap space to take on Ryan.
The Lightning and Golden Knights would like Karlsson for two playoff runs. Karlsson would become the face of the franchise if they were to acquire him.
Word is the Senators want five or six pieces, which may not be easy for a team going for it this and not wanting to lose a roster player.
Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times: The Lightning landing Erik Karlsson is still a long-shot, but it’s not impossible. GM Steve Yzerman doesn’t want to take from his roster and prefers to build around Brayden Point and Mikhail Sergachev.
Craig Button notes on the Lightning’s deep prospect pool with A-level prospects in Taylor Raddysh, Cal Foote and Boris Katchouk. They also have Brett Howden, Mitchell Stephens, Libor Hajek, Anthony Cirelli and Mathieu Joseph to go along with draft picks.
Button suggests the Lightning could start with Raddysh, Katchouk, Foote and a draft pick and go from there.
“If I’m Pierre, I want quality,” Button said. “I don’t need four picks and three prospects, which two are B and one is an A. I’ll take your first-two-round picks and two A prospects. They’re going to be in the National Hockey League. Maybe Taylor Raddysh can turn into a Mark Stone (Senators wing and alternate captain).”
Attaching Bobby Ryan to a the deal is a nonstarter for the Lightning.