2023-06-26 01:12:00
Now 33, Erik Karlsson knows he has fewer NHL seasons left than he has played. Fresh off the best campaign of his career, Karlsson is tired of playing for a team unable to make the playoffs and the Swede wants a chance to win the Stanley Cup before his career is over.
This chance, he may not have it if he stays in San Jose.
“I came to San Jose and signed here to win. Things didn’t go the way we wanted. If I have to do it once more and move my family somewhere else, I will because I play this sport to win. It won’t be fun, it won’t be easy, but I will make the decision that is best for my professional career. »
After 14 seasons in the NHL, Karlsson rubbed shoulders with several players. Some won the precious trophy, but the majority did not. Karlsson fears being part of the second group if he stays in California with the Sharks.
“I’ve played with too many players in my career who are fantastic players and who should be winners, but for whom it never happened. I don’t want to be that person. I want to win. And that’s not to say I’m going to win. I want an opportunity to win. If that chance isn’t in San Jose to finish my career, then that’s the unfortunate part of our job. It’s not to say that I don’t like playing here, that they don’t want me in the team or that we don’t want to be successful here. It’s just the course of life,” Karlsson explained on Sunday during the media availability preceding the Awards Ceremony. His remarks were reported by the official NHL website.
Author of 101 points last season, including 25 goals, Karlsson might win the Norris Trophy for the third time in his career. If he can still be a great help for a team that aspires to great honors, his average annual salary of $ 11.5 million will undoubtedly be an obstacle for any transaction. In fact, if the Sharks want to move on and make Karlsson’s wish come true, they may have to withhold part of his salary.
If Karlsson will have a right of veto on a transaction, the Sharks can still rejoice in his mentality. In Karlsson’s eyes, it is not necessary to join one of the powerhouses of the Bettman circuit to achieve his ultimate goal. Give him just one chance to qualify for the playoffs and he’ll grab whatever he can to complete his conquest.
“You just have to make the playoffs to have a chance of winning. Look at the Panthers. They shouldn’t have made the playoffs. But they qualified and they made it to the Stanley Cup Finals. They beat Boston, when everyone thought the Bruins were going to win. There are no guarantees, I just want a chance. »
At the heart of the offseason, general manager Mike Grier is therefore doing his best to trade his star defender elsewhere. If Karlsson is confident that the file will be settled before the next campaign, it is largely thanks to the help of the general manager of the Sharks.
“We’ve had good communication since he’s been with the team. I believe he is very smart and will do what is best for San Jose […]. I think we are still early on this file. I believe that several teams would be interested [à mes services], but there aren’t necessarily many teams that can do it. »
“I hope we can find the different options available to us soon. »
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