Karlsson gets another Canadian team involved in bidding war for his services

Erik Karlsson did not rule out a return to the Senators as he will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st and hopes to get close to Ottawa as he acknowledged his wife Melinda is home sick since the move to San Jose. 

The two-time Norris Trophy winner was traded from Ottawa to San Jose in September, but is looking at solutions to move closer to his wife’s hometown ahead of next season. 

That is why Karlsson is hoping to receive a “competitive offer” from the Montreal Canadiens when NHL free agency kicks off in July. 

A well-connected source revealed to the Ottawa Citizen that “as far as he knows,” the Toronto Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabres, two other teams close to Ottawa, are not on Karlsson’s list.

The addition of Karlsson to the Canadiens’ blue line would surely speed things up for a blue line rebuild in Montreal. However, it is not yet known if the Habs are interested in Karlsson or willing to spend the kind of money he’d command on the open market. The Habs have more than $11 million in projected cap space.

Karlsson battled injuries in his first season with the Sharks and only took part in 53 regular season games, but still managed to post 45 points and he added another 16 points in 19 playoff games.

We all expect Karlsson to be more receptive to an offer from the rebuilding Senators, knowing that his wife is begging him to return close to home. The 29-year-old has always had nothing but great things to say about the Senators organization and could be welcomed there at the right price. 

The Canadiens could surely make things interesting with a competitive offer this summer.