On the Ottawa Senators and Erik Karlsson …
Bob McKenzie of TSN: It is possible that the Senators trade Erik Karlsson by Monday’s trade deadline. It could be 50-50 if he’s moved or not, but it may be a mistake to put numbers or odds on trades.
The Senators are open to the idea of trading him, and GM Pierre Dorion is in some level of trade talks involving Karlsson.
IF the Senators received a big offer that they thought was acceptable, they’d consider moving him.
As of yet (last night), the Senators have received a formal offer for Karlsson.
The Senators have laid out to teams what they are looking for – a combination of possibly five to seven pieces including young roster players, top prospects, and first-round picks …. and Bobby Ryan?
If Ryan is included in the deal, the asking price would be lower. Ryan has four years left on his deal at $7.25 million salary cap hit. Some teams aren’t able to take on Ryan’s hit this season or in future years.
Ryan doesn’t have to be included, but it will cost teams more if it doesn’t.
The Tampa Bay Lightning will be one of the teams that will come up. The Lightning wouldn’t be able to take on Ryan’s contract. Mikhail Sergachev and/or Brayden Point would come up in talks.
Trading Karlsson before the trade deadline could be maximizing the return as the acquiring team would have him for at least two playoff runs.
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Elliotte Friedman on NHL Network talking about the Ottawa Senators and Erik Karlsson rumors.
“I think the latest is that the Ottawa Senators are considering all options,” indicated the hockey Insider. “A) Do we want to trade him. B) If we want to trade him, what do we want for him. C) If we trade him, do we want to include another contract – for example Bobby Ryan – as part of the deal. D) Who’s really seriously interested out there.”
The Tampa Bay Lightning probably aren’t happy that they’ve been tied to the Karlsson rumors, even though they may be interested and one of the teams that could pull off a deal.
thinks there could be “stealth teams out there” that are interested in Karlsson.
“So I have no doubt there are teams we haven’t figured out yet that they’re a part of this, and I think Ottawa will go into the weekend saying, ‘We kind of have an idea what’s out there, and now do we want to do it.’
“Ultimately the decision will be in their hands.”