They did it. They actually fucking did it.
After months of speculation, the Ottawa Senators have finally, mercifully ripped the damn band-aid off. According to multiple reports, Erik Karlsson has been traded to the San Jose Sharks.
<blockquoteclass="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
News Release: #Sens complete most important trade in rebuild, acquire six assets in Erik Karlsson trade: https://t.co/HpSSpE0oex
Communiqué : Les Sénateursd’Ottawaréalisentla plus importantetransaction dansle cadre de leurreconstruction : https://t.co/YmgYgUI9n7
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) September 13, 2018
In return, the Senators get Chris Tierney, Josh Norris (2017 19th overall), Rudolfs Balcers, and defenceman Dylan DeMelo. They also get a first round pick in 2019 or 2020 and a the higher of San Jose’s 2nd round picks in 2019. There are two conditional picks based on if Karlsson signs an extension in San Jose or if he plays for an Eastern Conference team next year.
The Senators have traded their Captain, their best player and the face of their franchise. More than 600 career games, all with the Ottawa Senators. 518 points, all with the Ottawa Senators. Two Norris Trophies, both with the Ottawa Senators. The most talented player in the history of the franchise and a generational defenceman, entering the prime of his career.
And they traded him.
There will be and already has been a lot written about what went wrong with Karlsson in Ottawa. In the end, it’s probably pretty complicated. But there should be absolutely no doubt that one way or another, Ownership played a factor in the unraveling of what at one point, seemed like a solid relationship. We have seen it before with Eugene Melnyk and sadly, we’ll probably see it again.
From the team perspective, they lose their most talented player but also, lose a significant distraction heading into the new year. As much as the players suggest it wasn’t an issue, it was. It’s really difficult to build a cohesive unit when your Captain isn’t involved. So in that sense, there will probably be some relief in the room. Disappointed to lose a teammate and a talent like Karlsson but excited to move forward with the guys that are left behind.
The reaction from fans…that is probably the most concerning part about all of this. The ticket-buying public has been sending a fairly strong message to the organization over the summer and trading the team’s most popular player certainly won’t help.
Lastly, thanks Erik. Thanks for being one of the most electrifying players in the history of this franchise and in particular, thanks for last year’s playoff run. As I got older, I sort of felt my passion for the Senators slipping away a little bit. Age will do that, I guess. Your performance during that dream-like two months reminded me why I love this game. Thanks for being a great player on the ice and for being a great representative of our team in the community. Now, just don’t sign an extension in San Jose. We’ll sort out the whole Ownership thing. And then maybe you and Alfie can talk next summer?
Sigh.
Ottawa Rising? I guess that makes sense since we just hit rock bottom.
