The Ottawa Senators have pulled off a blockbuster trade. General manager Pierre Dorion has agreed to trade super Swede, and face of the franchise, Erik Karlsson to the San Jose Sharks. In return, the Senators acquire centre Chris Tierney, defenceman Dylan DeMelo, prospects Josh Norris and Rudolfs Balcers and a first round pick in 2020, a 2019 second round pick and two conditional picks.
Sources say the #Sens have dealt Erik Karlsson to the Sharks in exchange for Chris Tierney, Dylan DeMelo, Josh Norris, Rudolfs Balcers, 2020 1st, 2019 2nd and two conditional picks.
— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) September 13, 2018
Erik Karlsson Traded To San Jose
Key Players
Karlsson
In Karlsson, the Sharks get one of the top defensemen in the league, with a huge personality to match. Last season, he scored nine goals and 52 assists for 63 points in 71 games. He also added 36 minutes in penalties. His possession numbers are 51.4 percent Corsi and a relative Corsi of +6.4. Those totals are down compared to 2016-17, where he scored 17 goals, 54 assists for 71 points. However, it just highlights the Sens poor performance last season as a whole. Karlsson, by his lofty standards, struggled after off-season surgery removed a large portion of his ankle bone.
The talented 27-year-old has spent his entire nine-year NHL career with the Senators. He was originally drafted by them in the first round, 15th overall of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. In return, he has put up an impressive 126 goals and 392 assists for 518 career points in 627 career games. Karlsson has added six goals and 31 assists for 37 points in 48 career Stanley Cup Playoff games.
The Return
Chris Tierney is entering his fifth season in the NHL. Tierney was the Sharks third line center. In his career, Tierney has scored 41 goals and 104 points in 284 games. The former second-round pick is a solid two-way palyer.
Dylan DeMelo is entering his third year in the NHL. DeMelo is a bit of a project. Although he did play a career-high 62 games last year and collected 20 assists. DeMelo needs to work on his game away from the puck.
Josh Norris is currently enrolled at the University of Michigan. Last season, with the Wolverines, Norris scored eight goals and 23 points. He has good skating, speed and hockey sense. He projects as a middle six forward.
Rudolfs Balcers had a strong professional debut last season in the AHL. The Latvian born forward scored 23 goals and 48 points with the San Jose Barracudas. Balcers is a highly skilled forward with top-six potential but needs to play with other skilled forwards.
What This Means for the Future
The Sharks will add a huge component to their team. Karlsson is an exceptional defenseman, few can compare in the current league. The two-time Norris Trophy winner has proved he is the ultimate playmaker. The NHL All-Star will be a great asset to the Sharks and might put them over the hump in competing for the Stanley Cup.
It will be a great loss for the Senators, it’s no secret that they have struggled this season. It’s also no secret that Eugene Melnyk has traded there most valuable player due to an unwillingness to pay a high price for him. Karlsson is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2019.
Main Photo: OTTAWA, ON – MARCH 29: Ottawa Senators Defenceman Erik Karlsson (65) prepares for a face-off during third period National Hockey League action between the Florida Panthers and Ottawa Senators on March 29, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
