Article content continued

Karlsson priced himself out of the Senators budget the moment he said he was going to get what he’s worth upon the expiration of his current contract.

If they offered him $10 million a season it was done knowing he wouldn’t take it when Drew Doughty just signed for $11 million a season with the Los Angeles Kings. Karlsson has outscored Doughty by 96 points while playing 143 fewer games, and he also has a 2-1 lead on him in Norris Trophies.

No way was he going to accept $1 million a year less.

Years ago, Karlsson was unhappy with something I wrote about him. I tried to talk to him about it, but he walked away. When I asked his friend Robin Lehner to pass along some clarification, I was told it was useless.

“Erik is very stubborn,” said Lehner.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or

Hence, if he had his mind set on becoming the highest paid defenceman in the NHL, he was going to become the highest paid defenceman in the NHL.

And deservingly so, for what he has accomplished to date.

The big question is, what kind of player is Karlsson going to be for the next seven or eight years?

He didn’t win the Hart, but I still think he was the most valuable player in the league during the 2016-17 season, when he he had 71 points in 77 games and followed it up with 18 points in 19 playoff games.

He was outstanding defensively as he was offensively.

Karlsson was a different player last season, however.

Was it because of the ankle injury? Perhaps. He didn’t have the same explosive jump while pushing off his left foot. The strength wasn’t there for him to win as many D-zone battles.