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Erik Karlsson retrieves puck out of net after Ottawa Senators’ final home game

By Ian Oland (@ianoland) on April 3, 2018 | 0 Comment

On June 20, 2008 at Canadian Tire Centre, Daniel Alfredsson announced the Ottawa Senators’ selection of Erik Karlsson at the 2008 NHL Draft. Nine years, nine months, and 13 days later, Karlsson’s spectacular career as a Senator appears over.

In the Senators’ final home game of the 2017-18 season — a 6-5 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, Karlsson tallied three assists and was named the game’s third star. But it was what the Senators captain did afterwards that has everyone talking.

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At the buzzer, Karlsson grabbed the game puck out of the back of the net and stuffed it down his hockey pants – likely a keepsake to commemorate his final home game in a Senators jersey.

In the locker room, Karlsson spoke to Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch, but played coy on the reason why.

Karlsson, who is an unrestricted free agent after the 2018-19 season, ran into issues with Senators owner Eugene Melnyk. During the run-up to the 2018 trade deadline, the Senators asked Karlsson for a list of teams he’d be willing to be dealt to. Ottawa reportedly talked to teams about Karlsson up until the 3pm deadline, including the Washington Capitals.

A deal wasn’t made, but it’s presumed Karlsson will be dealt over the summer.

Karlsson will likely finish his Senators career as the team’s third-leading scorer behind Alfredsson and Jason Spezza. Karlsson won the Norris Trophy twice as the league’s best defenseman.

The Senators have three away games remaining. They conclude the 2017-18 season Saturday in Boston.

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