According to the last NHL trade rumors, the Ottawa Senators have granted Erik Karlsson permission to start negotiating an extension with other teams
Ottawa Senators captain Erik Karlsson will be a free agent after next season. After Drew Doughty’s $88 million extension, the two-time Norris Trophy winner will likely command a larger deal.
According to Larry Brooks of the New York Post, the Senators have granted Karlsson permission to discuss an extension with other teams. He is reportedly seeking an extension that at least matches Doughty’s. More than likely, Karlsson’s eventual extension will surpass his.
This means Ottawa is likely seeking to pull off a rarity by signing him to an extension and then trading him. Or they could straight up trade him and let the team who trades for Karlsson deal with the extension. Regardless, it appears that the Senators captain has played his last game for the team.
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Multiple teams have been linked to Karlsson, including the Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning. The New York Rangers and Vegas Golden Knights have been tied to him as well. In fact, the latter nearly traded for him at the 2018 trade deadline.
It remains to be seen if the Senators want to attach Bobby Ryan’s contract to a Karlsson trade. If they do, this would make the Golden Knights even more likely to be the team who trades for him. The New York Islanders have the cap space to acquire both, which would be huge for them after losing former captain John Tavares to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Trading their captain would be just another nail in the coffin for the Senators. Just a year ago, they were coming off an Eastern Conference Final appearance. Now the Senators are stuck in arguably the biggest mess in the NHL.
Next: How Each NHL Team Could Pull Off A Trade For Karlsson
Ottawa has already traded Mike Hoffman after reports came out that his fiance has been harassing Karlsson’s and his wife. Should they lose their captain, it will be another tragic tale for a franchise who already has many.
For updated NHL trade rumors, check out our Rumors page.