Breaking: Karlsson makes ALARMING comments on his future in Ottawa!

Ottawa Senators star defenseman Erik Karlsson is not worried about getting paid top dollar in the summer 2019, whether he remains with the club that selected him 15th overall in 2008 or any other 30 teams in the NHL. 

“When I go to market, I’m going to get what I’m worth, and it’s going to be no less, no matter where I’m going,” Karlsson told the Ottawa Sun on Thursday. 

Questions came up for Karlsson's stance on free agency, when Los Angeles Kings defender Drew Doughty told The Athletic's Craig Custance that he would asked  the Sens' captain about his contract extension before the 19-month deadline. 

“I know I’m going to talk to Karlsson back and forth, kind of see what money he’s looking for,” Doughty told Custance. “I’ll kind of look at what money I’m looking for. I don’t know if he’s going to re-sign with Ottawa. I don’t know if I’ll re-sign with L.A. You just never know what’s going to happen.”

Karlsson therefore asserts that he won't let the Senators get away with a hometown discount, like Buffalo Sabres top star Jack Eichel reportedly accepted to stay with the team. 

Karlsson's comments are likely to worry several Senators fans, as the team is stuck in a losing skid and could miss the playoffs this spring. If any other team is willing to pay Karlsson top dollar - he said himself - he will get the money he is worth on the market. 

Alarming that he said WHEN and not IF I go on the market...

Several NHL clubs are willing to pay a lot of money to land a franchise blue liner, like the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Washington Capitals and Edmonton Oilers.