Ottawa Senators captain Erik Karlsson confirmed Tuesday he has submitted his 10-team no-trade list to the team, but downplayed the significance on the move.

Karlsson did not say whether he was asked for the list by Senators general manager Pierre Dorion, but called it a normal part of the business.

"That's one of the things that's in my contract and it's just a formality and it's business," Karlsson said, per Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun. "I don't read too much into it."

The Senators have lost four straight games and 10 of their past 11 entering Tuesday's contest against the Buffalo Sabres. Dorion is believed to be actively engaging in trade talks in an attempt to spark his slumping team.

While Karlsson is considered highly unlikely to be moved this season, he appeared to throw some fuel on the fire earlier this week when he said he'd be pursuing his market value as a free agent in 2019.

Karlsson said Tuesday he does not take back any of his comments on free agency but also noted he has no control over how the media spins those comments.

"I said what I said, but the way that (the media) spun it... I'm not gonna stand here and backtrack, or say that I said something different," Karlsson said. "It is what it is.

"... Whatever happens when the decision has to be made that's something that we're gonna deal with but I think that the relationship between me and this organization has always been great and I think that's something that has never been in question and shouldn't be now either.

A two-time Norris Trophy winner, Karlsson owns one goal and 18 points this season along with a minus-16 rating, third worst in the NHL.