While settling into his new surroundings on the West Coast, newcomer Erik Karlsson shed some light on the longstanding disconnect between himself and the Ottawa Senators' front office, which culminated in last week's trade to the San Jose Sharks.
"I haven't spoken to any of them really since November of last year when they asked for my no-trade list," the star defenseman told Postmedia's Michael Traikos. "That's the way it is, I guess. That's the only situation I know that's been like this. It was what it was. I was there to play hockey and I did that to the best of my ability with what we had. That's all that I worried about.
"Everything else around it is above my pay grade. That's not my question to ask."
At the time, Karlsson downplayed the significance of submitting his no-trade list, simply calling it a contractual obligation. And he ultimately stuck with the Senators beyond the trade deadline until the end of the season.
Still, if there was indeed no contact between Senators' brass and their captain for the last 10 months, that would mean the club later offered Karlsson a contract extension, reportedly worth $10 million per season, without any direct communication.
Karlsson played nine seasons in Canada's capital, earning two Norris Trophies and four first-team All-Star selections while collecting 518 points in 627 games.
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