Monday afternoon, a clean-shaven Erik Karlsson met assembled media at the Canadian Tire Centre to discuss a wide array of topics. Gone was the trademark mustache and goatee that we’ve grown accustomed to.
After a truly forgettable season on the ice and a more tragic time off it, Karlsson needed a change.
“I wasn’t ready to let go of my hair, so I had to let go of something. Fortunately the beard was the easiest choice to make. I wasn’t too pleased when I woke up this morning,” said the Senators’ captain.
The past several weeks have been understandably tough on Karlsson and his wife, Melinda. After the passing of their stillborn child Axel, Karlsson wanted to play for his team and help out his teammates, but the mental strain was too overwhelming.
“It’s been extremely difficult. Coming back helped a lot. It was extremely difficult to get myself motivated, that’s something I’ve never experienced before. That’s why I decided not to go on the last road trip,” explained a subdued Karlsson. “I wasn’t in the right state of mind and it wouldn’t be fair to my teammates to see me like that, to not play my heart out…It was better for me and family to take care of my personal issues first.”
“This has been the toughest year of my career since I came here 9 years ago, both professionally and personally.”#Sens captain Erik Karlsson spoke to media about this past season, his love for Ottawa, and his plans for the offseason. pic.twitter.com/MyLqXMW7zl
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) April 10, 2018
When Karlsson did play, he tallied six points (one goal and five assists) in five games prior to making the decision to end his season. His final total of 62 points tied him for the club lead with Mark Stone. Finishing the campaign with 53 assists, the All Star defenceman reached the 50-assist plateau for the fifth time in his nine-year career, becoming only the 14th NHL d-man to accomplish this feat.
“My next move is to be at home, be in Ottawa where I live and where I love to be. Spend time with my wife and my family. Deal with that, before I deal with anything else first. It’s been a long hard year and I am very fortunate to have a long summer too, to take care of my personal life and to come back where I want to be professionally. That’s going to be my priority,” explained the 27-year old.
The campaign didn’t go as planned for a Senators team that came within a shot away from advancing to the 2017 Stanley Cup Final. Karlsson required postseason tendon surgery whereby bone was removed from his ankle, missing the first five games of the season.
At the NHL100 Classic in mid-December, Karlsson admitted he was playing at 75 percent strength. Monday, the blue liner shouldered some of the blame for the Senators’ poor season.
“After Christmas I felt like was ready to play, the way I wanted to play. Unfortunately before then, I was not. It had a lot to do with why we were unable to get out the slump we were in,” Karlsson noted. “I don’t think I played at the level I needed to make this team successful at the time. And that’s something that’s on me. I’m going to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”
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The spectre of being traded is real for Karlsson. The two-time Norris Trophy winner is heading into the final year of his contract paying him $6.5 million per season, considered a bargain in today’s NHL. Karlsson heard the rumblings at the trade deadline and is aware of the reality of the situation.
“There’s always the possibility that’s going to be the case, unfortunately. It’s not what I hope for. It’s not something that I plan on happening. Again, what we went through this year, there are going to be a few changes. Hopefully, I’m not one of them. I’m going to have to deal with that as I move along this summer. I’m still hopeful the puck I picked up is not going to be the last,” Karlsson added.
“I love this community, this organization, this city, this is where I live when I end up retiring no matter where I’ll end up. When it comes down to it, that part will sort itself out. I do think there’s no question about it. (Ottawa) is where always want to be.”
Karlsson is a realist and knows the Senators may be a couple of seasons away from becoming a serious contender once again. The Swede is hoping general manager Pierre Dorion elects to build around core players Matt Duchene, Mark Stone and himself rather than stripping down the roster.
“I hope it doesn’t come to that. We’re going to need a lot of younger guys to come and do well. I do think the program we do have, and the guys that we’ve drafted are ready to step in (Drake Batherson, Logan Brown, Alex Formenton) and become full-time NHLers. It doesn’t mean they’re going to be the player they’re going to be eventually next year, and the year after that. But I do think there’s a bright future to win here,” Karlsson admitted. “Whenever that is, I’m not really sure. I do think with the core guys we do have and the young guys coming in, this is a team I’d love win with sometime in the future.”
For Senators fans, Karlsson is remaining positive about wanting to remain in his adopted hometown. However, there’s still a contract situation to be resolved, with Dorion pledging to fans at a town hall on Tuesday to not trade the captain at this year's draft.
“That’s one of the things I’m least worried about, what money is going to be and term. I’m going to get what I’m going to get whether it’s here or somewhere else. It’s not something I’ve considered.”
The onus will be on Dorion, and more so owner Eugene Melnyk, to get one of the league’s most dynamic players under contract for the 2019-20 season and beyond.