Erik Karlsson was officially introduced as a member of the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday.
Hours after his first practice with the team, Karlsson spoke to the media about the process of moving from Ottawa to San Jose and took questions alongside Sharks general manager Doug Wilson and head coach Peter DeBoer.
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— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) September 19, 2018
Wilson opened up the press conference by thanking the team's ownership group for wanting to put a good team on the ice and for the fans for demanding a good team.
"This would not have been possible had it not been for our ownership group, led by Hasso Plattner, to be bold and aggressive when opportunities like this arise and the passion and support of our fan base too," Wilson said.
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Wilson added that acquiring a player like Karlsson is a no-brainer.
"It's rare that this type of player becomes available," Wilson said. "And we've talked to difference makers and we're very fortunate to have a hockey team that's got several difference-makers on it. And I know this...it's an understatement to say that his coaches and his teammates are real excited to have him here."
One of the biggest questions following the move is whether Karlsson will sign an extension to stay with the team. Karlsson has one year left on his current contract, but didn't say anything that would answer that question any time soon.
"As of right now, I'm just focused on starting the season as good as I possibly can to help this team when games and that's where I'm at right now and we'll go from there," Karlsson said when asked about his contract situation.
If it means anything, the Sharks are already on Karlsson's good side. He indicated that after he met with management after the trade, he was excited to join the team.
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"For me and my wife, it was extremely important to meet with [Sharks management]," Karlsson said. "San Jose is a place I only play once a year on the road. It's probably one of the organizations that I don't know the most about being on the east coast....from that day on both of our views matched up equally and I was extremely excited about everything they had to say. And they were great people right from the start and they're still great people today."
As for his old team, Karlsson wished them nothing but the best despite his name being thrown out in trade rumours for months.
"That was [Ottawa's] decision to go the way they did and I respect that. It's part of the business," Karlsson said. "I wish them nothing but the best....and I hope they accomplish everything that they hope they will."
DeBoer didn't say when exactly Karlsson will step on the ice for a game, but did say he'll play in some exhibition contests.