The Ottawa Senators are poised to miss the playoffs again. Some are pondering whether they could try to re-acquire former captain Erik Karlsson, but would that be ideal?
Erik Karlsson and Rourke ChartierThis season, the Ottawa Senators saw changes in ownership management, and coaching. Poised to miss the playoffs for the seventh straight year, the roster could undergo changes again in the off-season.
Senators GM Steve Staios hinted as much during his Zoom call with the media following the trade deadline. The Hockey News' Steve Warne cited Staios saying he'd had “some very strong discussions” on some deals that he felt “were probably pretty close.”
Staios felt that his efforts laid the groundwork for potential off-season discussions. It's no secret he was trying to bring in some veterans before the trade deadline to bring some leadership and experience to his young core.
Could one of his off-season trade targets include former Senators captain Erik Karlsson?
Warne cited Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman raising the possibility of Karlsson returning to Ottawa. The 33-year-old defenseman began his NHL career with the Senators, spending nine of his 15 seasons with them.
Friedman acknowledged bringing back Karlsson would be difficult. He's signed through 2026-27, with the Penguins carrying $10 million of his $11.5-million average annual value. He also has a full no-movement clause.
Nevertheless, Friedman didn't rule out the possibility, especially with Karlsson's former teammate Daniel Alfredsson now an assistant coach.
Warne is skeptical about a Karlsson reunion, pointing out that the Senators already have too many non-physical puck-moving defensemen. Even if everything lined up to make a trade possible, Karlsson turns 34 in May and is approaching the stage in his career where his performance will inevitably decline.
Speaking of Senators defensemen, Jakob Chychrun faces a summer of speculation about his future in Ottawa.
The 25-year-old blueliner becomes a UFA after next season. Despite his insistence to stay in Ottawa, trade speculation dogged him up to the trade deadline.
Chychrun told The Athletic's Ian Mendes he believes the conjecture will follow him into the off-season. The Senators can open contract extension talks with him on July 1, provided he hasn't been traded if those negotiations prove difficult.