Erik Karlsson Wants To Play In U.S. Won T Re Sign With Canadian Team Report Says

Apparently, the one place he won’t be playing is Canada. 

Karlsson, a pending unrestricted free agent after 2018-19, won’t consider re-signing with a Canadian franchise if he’s traded to one, NBC Sports’ Kathryn Tappen reported Thursday. He’s intent on playing in a United States market, the report said, whether it’s this season or in 2019-20.

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Early Friday, Karlsson went into damage control and denied Tappen’s report, via Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.

That all followed a Wednesday report by Friedman indicting the talks have again picked up and the Canucks became involved.

The Lightning, Stars, Golden Knights and Sharks are the teams that reportedly engaged in the most advanced discussions for Karlsson, to varying degrees. Tappen’s report obviously bodes well for them.

Whichever team acquires the Senators captain would seek a long-term commitment from Karlsson’s camp, preferably prior to giving up the significant assets it will take to complete the trade. That doesn’t guarantee anything, but it’s another glimpse into Karlsson’s thought process.

What it does mean, if there were any doubt, is that his time in Ottawa is finished.