Insider Links Erik Karlsson To Intriguing Team

Erik Karlsson was drafted 15th overall in the 2008 NHL Draft, and spent the first nine years of his career with the team that executed that brilliant selection, the Ottawa Senators. In that time, he collected two Norris Trophies and four NHL 1st-Team All-Star selections. 

With his current team the Pittsburgh Penguins clearly considering their options moving forward as a franchise, NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman wrote in his 32 Thoughts column for Sportsnet on Thursday that he has a thought that "is manifesting purely in my head," and he can't make it go away:

As I watch Daniel Alfredsson on the bench in Ottawa, I can’t help but wonder if the Senators consider a Karlsson reunion. At least, brainstorm it. Yes, it’s complicated and yes, everyone would have to be on board. But no one mind-melds with Karlsson like Alfredsson, and, since it got into my head, I can’t stop thinking about the possibility of it. 

After hearing Penguins GM Kyle Dubas's press conference on Wednesday, it became clear to anyone listening that he wants to inject some youth into the NHL's oldest team. He was definitely referring to one particular star player—an impending free agent—when he made those comments, but Karlsson will be 34 this summer, and moving him would also certainly be a way for Pittsburgh to get younger.

Then you combine that with the Alfredsson-Karlsson connection, and the fact that Karlsson said last year he'd be willing to play again in Ottawa someday, and this whole crazy idea becomes something to think about. 

Friedman even added, on the Jeff Marek Show, that "from the moment that Karlsson was traded, there were people in Ottawa who said to me that 'this is not over, and there will be a day when this happens again' (i.e. Karlsson returning)."

The one big caveat here is that Dubas, in addition to stating the obvious, that the Penguins need to get younger, also seemed to be clear that he wanted to give his veteran core another chance to compete for a Cup, and in mentioning Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, he also was sure to include Karlsson's name as part of that core.

So it might be a pipe dream, but it's an interesting one to consider.

Photo: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports