Sens fans exhale as Karlsson stays past trade deadline
Senators captain was rumoured to be on trading block, but Monday's deadline came and went
Senators fans breathed a collective sigh of relief Monday afternoon as the NHL's trade deadline passed and Erik Karlsson remained with the team — at least for now.
There had been serious speculation that the Sens captain and Norris Trophy-winning defenceman was on the trading block, with his team's chances of making the playoffs only a distant mathematical possibility.
Multiple reports indicated the team was in discussions to trade Karlsson, but none of those potential deals came together before Monday's 3 p.m. ET deadline.
Online, Sens fans were anxious about the potential move as the deadline approached.
I have a lighter and my <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sens?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#sens</a> flag on standby
—@TenSeventyFourThis is going to be the longest hour of my life <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sens?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Sens</a>
—@Glenn_J81Please get to 3 pm..... I can't take much more of this <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TradeDeadline?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TradeDeadline</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LifeOfASensFan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LifeOfASensFan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sens?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Sens</a>
—@shaar666There were reports that expansion franchise Las Vegas Golden Knights were in the running for the star, but at 3 p.m. ET nothing had been announced and it was quickly confirmed that Karlsson would stay.
So happy <a href="https://twitter.com/ErikKarlsson65?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ErikKarlsson65</a> is still in Ottawa with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sens?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Sens</a> for now. <a href="https://t.co/RPUOWO6q5Z">pic.twitter.com/RPUOWO6q5Z</a>
—@twisted__demonKarlsson is still a senator so we can all sleep easy tonight 😌 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sens?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Sens</a>
—@graciemayhewThe lack of trade news didn't change Sens fans' view of the team's owner, however: many fans have called for Eugene Melnyk to sell the team.
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sens?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Sens</a> army, the marching orders are clear. We have 3 months to convince Bettman and the <a href="https://twitter.com/NHL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NHL</a> that Eugene Melnyk is not fit to be an <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NHL</a> owner. And that forcing him to sell is not the right thing to do to save hockey in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ottawa?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ottawa</a>, it’s the only thing to do.
—@StandsChatterEK should get a huge ovation at the next home game followed by a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MelnykOut?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MelnykOut</a> chant. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sens?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#sens</a>
—@JGasson_21Karlsson's contract is up at the end of next season, but he and the team can begin negotiating a new one on July 1. However many fans expect the captain will be moved over the summer, so there's plenty of time for more speculation.