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ST. LOUIS — If the Senators did, in fact, make a long-term, big-money offer to Erik Karlsson before trading him — and if they really do want the best defenceman in franchise history to be part of their future plans — they should circle back to the conversation.

This time, Karlsson could be much more receptive to the idea.

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While the two-time Norris Trophy winner is expected to be the most coveted free agent available when the market opens on July 1, a well-connected source says that he hopes to receive competitive offers from two teams in particular — the Senators and the Montreal Canadiens.

Why?

Because his wife, Melinda, who was born and raised in Ottawa, is “homesick” and would very much like to live close to her family again.

Good reason.

While Toronto and Buffalo are also relatively close to Canada’s capital, the source says that, as far as he knows, they’re not on the Karlsson’s list.

Photo by Darren Brown / Postmedia

Karlsson has spoken glowingly of his time with the Sharks and has often mentioned how much he enjoyed the city and relationships with his teammates. But not long after San Jose was eliminated by the St. Louis Blues in the Western Conference final, he tweeted a “thank you” message to Sharks fans that suggested his days in the Bay Area were over.

Highly respected Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman doused that notion during the second intermission of Game 3 in the Stanley Cup final on Saturday.

“The word is that Erik Karlsson is taking a long, hard look at deciding if he wants to stay in San Jose,” said Friedman, per NBCsports.com. “And I think we’re going to know in about a week if he’s going to stay or if he’s going to investigate his other free agency options. He wants to win. The Sharks are perennially in it. They’ve made a good impression on him. I think we’re going to know in about a week if it’s San Jose or free agency.”