Asked if he would consider offers "at this moment" for Karlsson, who can become an unrestricted free agent after next season, Dorion said, "Our first priority with Erik is to sign him. He's a special player, but Wayne Gretzky got traded, so, if a team offers you an offer you can't turn down, you listen. But our first priority is to sign Erik Karlsson and [for] Erik Karlsson to be a Senator for life."

After having surgery June 14 to repair torn tendons in his left foot, Karlsson missed the first five games of this season. He has 30 points (three goals, 27 points) in 37 games and a minus-16 rating.

Video: Dan Rosen on Karlsson's future with the Senators

Karlsson, a 27-year-old two-time Norris Trophy winner, said Nov. 30 he wants to be paid as one of the top players in the game.

"When I go to market, I'm going to get what I'm worth, and it's going to be no less, no matter where I'm going," Karlsson, the Senators captain, said. "That's the business part of it. That's the way every player has been treated ever since this league has started, and I think the players have been a little bit on the other side of things when it comes to negotiations. I think it's time to realize that when we go to the table, it's business on both parts, not just [owners]."

Ottawa (15-18-9) entered Thursday 12 points out of a Stanley Cup Playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Dorion said he believes the Senators can make the playoffs in part because they have five games in hand on the Pittsburgh Penguins, who hold the second wild card.

"We have to be patient and no rash decisions will be made," Dorion said. "We have to be realistic and understand our situation. If we don't make the playoffs, we have to start planning for the future, and that might be to take one step backwards to take two steps forwards."

Dorion said he has been fielding calls from NHL general managers but did not reveal which players were discussed. The NHL Trade Deadline is Feb. 26.

"Contrary to what has been said out there, I haven't shopped anyone," Dorion said. "Teams are in a bit of the position we were in last year where we were looking to add. A lot of teams are phoning. I still believe in this team, but at a certain point in time, if we see we're not in the playoffs, we're going to look at every option possible. A lot of people are phoning. We have good players on this team and that's why people are phoning.

"Six weeks away from the trade deadline I think we can still be patient and we will be. There's not going to be any rash, impulsive decisions made. We're going to stay the course."