Erik Karlsson Traded to the San Jose Sharks
The longest, most drawn out contract drama in team history is over
After days weeks months of rumours, speculation and false starts, the Senators have traded Erik Karlsson.
Things seems to really heat up after the Habs traded Max Pacioretty in the early hours of Monday, and the awkward video the Sens released that same night. Darren Dreger was reporting it yesterday, and it spread (of course). It was when Bob McKenzie spoke up this morning that it felt more imminent.
Stop me if you have heard this before — and you have — but there’s been a decided increase in Erik Karlsson trade talk over the last 24-48 hours with the obvious goal of trying to get it done before OTT hits the ice for training camp.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) September 13, 2018
The writing has been on the wall for some time, and there certainly appeared to be a preference to have the trade done before the players hit the ice for training camp tomorrow.
So, finally, after so many false starts, and hearing “a deal is almost done” and “they’ve got to get the trade done by...” since February, the trade finally happened. Erik Karlsson is now a member of the San Jose Sharks.
Told that the official trade call was just completed. Erik Karlsson has been traded to the San Jose Sharks
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) September 13, 2018
Francis Perron was also part of Ottawa’s side of the deal.
In return, Ottawa is getting a 2019 or 2020 first round pick, a 2019 2nd round pick, Chris Tierney, Josh Norris, Rudolfs Balcers and Dylan DeMelo.
The difference between a 2019 or 2020 first round pick is if the Sharks make the playoffs. If they miss, it’s the 2019 pick. If they do, it’s 2020. Neither would be lottery protected. The 2019 2nd rounder is the higher of San Jose’s pick, or Florida’s pick which is held by San Jose.
There are two conditional picks as well. First, if Karlsson re-signs with the Sharks, the Sens will receive San Jose’s 2021 2nd round pick. If they also reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2019, that becomes the Sharks 2021 1st round pick (with no lottery protection). Second, if Karlsson ends up on an Eastern Conference roster during the 2018-19 season, the Sens will receive an additional first round pick from the Sharks, no later than 2022.
Tierney was a 55th overall pick in 2012, and has scored 104 points in 284 games for the Sharks. Balcers was picked 142nd overall in 2015, and spent his first pro season in the AHL last season. DeMelo was the Sharks 179th overall pick in 2011, and has played 133 games for them. Norris is probably the key piece in the return, and was the 19th overall pick in 2017. He is also reportedly best friends with Brady Tkachuk.
We’ll let you know as soon as the Sharks flip him to someone in the Eastern Conference for a better package, which would at least improve the Sens return.
Farewell, Erik. You’ll be missed.
