On the Ottawa Senators …
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen: The Senators won’t be trading defenseman Erik Karlsson before the trade deadline, and owner Eugene Melnyk said during a CTV Ottawa interview that they want Karlsson to remain in Ottawa.
Melnyk said that GM Pierre Dorion is the one who “makes the hockey decisions” but added their first priority is to keep Karlsson. Melnyk said that he’d meet with Dorion for two days to go over their trade deadline plans.
“We all recognize who Erik is and we recognize he’s a franchise player,” Melnyk said. “We’re doing to do everything possible to keep him in Ottawa, but at the end of the day, it’s Erik’s decision and it’s a hockey operations decision. They have to come together.”
Karlsson is believed to be looking for between $10 and $12 million a season on a long-term extension. If that is too much for the Sens, they could consider moving him this offseason.
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen: Teams are calling the Senators about forward Zack Smith. He may not have the value like Mike Hoffman, Jean-Gabriel Pageau or Cody Ceci, but teams like his rugged play and that he can also score.
Back in 2011 when the Senators sold at the trade deadline – Mike Fisher and Chris Kelly – Smith was one of the players who were able to take advantage of the situation.
“Hopefully, it doesn’t come to that situation where it’s a complete 360 because that’s where I want to be. I want to be here, playing in Ottawa.”
The Senators need to make some changes for next season. Their trade deadline plan is to move out roster players and acquire draft picks and young players.
The Calgary Flames have shown interest in Smith, who carries a $3.25 million salary cap hit through 2020-21.
It’s doubtful the Senators trade Pageau and Derick Brassard. Erik Karlsson, Mark Stone, and Thomas Chabot are untouchables.