The San Jose Sharks were hoping to get contract negations going with Erik Karlsson after the February 25th trade deadline. But those plans might be put on hold according to sources.

The hockey news site TheFourthPeriod.com reported in an article recently some news that might be somewhat upsetting for San Jose Sharks fans. The full article is found here (Karlsson, Sharks yet to Start Contract Negotiations). But here’s the excerpt from the piece that would concern any of the Team Teal faithful.

Karlsson is not eligible to sign an eight-year extension with the Sharks until after the trade deadline, but sources have told TFP the two sides aren’t expected to engage in any serious contract discussions until the off-season. – TheFourthPeriod.com

This is devastating news for anyone who dreamed that the San Jose Sharks would lock up Erik Karlsson to a deal mid-season. It’s just one more thing that looms over the Team Teal’s murky off-season.

Regardless of what happens in the future. The present seems pretty nice for San Jose Sharks fans. Their team is on another multiple game win streak, and this time without their all world defender Erik Karlsson. The winning has been nice to see but this team is a whole different animal when EK65 is on their roster.

Through Karlsson’s first 47 games in Teal he’s produced 43 points, with 22 of them being primary. Before his recent injury he was arguably playing some of the best hockey of his entire career. He rode a 14 game point streak that accumulated 25 points during that span.

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The underlying numbers suggest that the San Jose Sharks are otherworldly when EK65 is on the ice. They post a ridiculous 4.34 GF/60 at all strengths and a league leading all defencemen with a 60.85 xGF% at 5v5, per Corsica.Hockey. Team Teal generates a massive amount of scoring chances and have possession of the puck for a lot of the time when Karlsson is out there.

EK65’s impact can be felt in all 3 zones. His ability to transition the puck out of the opponents zone and generate a clean entry is magnificent. Every team is the league is searching for a player with the ability to trek the puck neutral zone safely and with relative ease, Erik Karlsson is the best in the league at this part of the game.

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Whether Erik Karlsson decides to stay with the San Jose Sharks it’s really important to cherish the opportunity we have been given to watch a generational talent play on a nightly basis (when he’s not injured or suspended). His presence on this team is surely missed regardless of what their recent winning streak is implying. This team’s only realistic hope for a Stanley Cup is with a healthy EK65 penciled in their roster.