Former Sharks Defenseman Shuts Down Rumors Of A Return To Ottawa; 'It's A Battle' Karlsson Gives Thoughts On San Jose
Former San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson met with the media before facing his former team tonight and addressed the rumors of him returning to the Ottawa Senators and the state of the Sharks.
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports - Former Sharks Defenseman Shuts Down Rumors Of A Return To Ottawa; 'It's A Battle' Karlsson Gives Thoughts On San JoseFormer San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson met with the media before facing his former team tonight and addressed the rumors of him returning to the Ottawa Senators and the state of the Sharks.
The defenseman was traded to San Jose from Ottawa and signed an 8-year contract one year after the trade.
"That's Canada for you," Karlsson said. "I played there for a long time, so I kind of know how that game works. They've got a lot of things to talk about every day because they've got a lot of airtime, but very few things to actually discuss. So they like to make up these 'what if' scenarios, and that's just the way it is. And it's not something that I really look into or worry too much about."
Karlsson requested a trade from the Sharks this offseason, hoping to go to a Stanley Cup contender. It is safe to say that isn't happening with the Penguins this season. The Penguins are on the outside looking in and are seven points out of a playoff spot, but crazier things have happened.
"They've all been great here," Karlsson said about Pittsburgh. "It obviously hasn't gone the way we expected, but it's a great group of guys here and a fantastic organization. I've enjoyed my time so far, and I'm looking forward to enjoying the future of it as well."
As for the struggling Sharks, he didn't mince words.
"It's never fun to watch. I have a lot of friends over there still and care about them deeply. I've been through it myself a couple of times, and it's not fun. It's hard. It's a battle," Karlsson said. "But they're good people, and they've got a bit of a road ahead of them. Unfortunately, all you can do sometimes is just go through it and wait for the better times, which, eventually, is going to come."
The Sharks sit in last place in the NHL before tonight's game, and while losing stinks, if they can win the Draft Lottery, the road that Karlsson speaks of might get a little shorter.
He also said that it is likely bittersweet for Tomas Hertl. He said he is excited to follow his journey with the Vegas Golden Knights.
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