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A two-for-one deal, of sorts.

“Mark Stone and Matt Duchene were the second and third guys we met with (at exit interviews), and I think they both want to be here long term,” said Dorion. “They were honest and frank conversations about us getting better. I think they know what the plan is. They know what our intentions are. And we hope we can keep them a part of this team for a long time.”

How is trading Karlsson going to sit with the fans? Not well at all.

No matter what Dorion can get for Karlsson, the majority will be outraged the Senators have allowed a future Hall of Famer to get away.

Their concern about the Karlsson situation has been evident in many ways, the most recent with the ovation and cheers that erupted when Dorion told the town hall gathering the captain would not be traded before the draft.

“We are going to make the best hockey decision for this organization moving forward,” Dorion said Thursday. “But we listen to our fans.”

The politically correct thing to say,yes, but the first part of the above statement is obviously more important. If the customers start making the decisions, the GM will soon be sitting among them.

No one is expecting it, but Karlsson could always have a change of heart and take less to remain in Ottawa. He could always determine that he really would like to be part of a winner here, then make sacrifices that allow the Senators to sign Stone and Duchene.

“During the era that we’re in with the salary cap, we have to do certain things a certain way to try and get as many players in under that cap as possible,” said Karlsson. “And then at the end of the day that’s the management’s job, and I know they’re going to do a good job trying to figure that out. Wherever I’ll end up in that category, it’s not something I really worry about.