San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson is tired of playing for an underperforming club and would like to be traded to a team aiming for the Stanley Cup.
This is what the Swede said on Sunday during the media presentation on the sidelines of the National Hockey League (NHL) individual player award ceremony.
“Throughout my career I’ve played with too many talented guys who should have been winners but never were,” said the man who is contendering for the James Norris Trophy, the award given to Defender of the Year at the Bettman Circuit is awarded .
“I don’t want to be one of those guys. I want to win. It doesn’t mean I’m going to win, but I want to get a chance. If that’s not possible in San Jose right now, that’s unfortunate. That doesn’t mean I don’t like playing here or that I don’t want it to work. It is exactly what it is.
Karlsson was acquired by the Ottawa Senators in September 2018 and has played in the Sharks jersey for the past five seasons. With this team he only reached the playoffs once, namely in 2018/19.
No leadership team
The 33-year-old defenseman made it clear he doesn’t have a favorite club for his next step in the NHL.
“I just want to get into the playoffs and have a chance to win,” he said. see [les Panthers de] Florida. They shouldn’t have made the playoffs and made it to the finals. You have won [les Bruins de] Boston. We all thought Boston would win. There are no guarantees. I just want a chance.”
To fulfill Karlsson’s wishes, the Sharks must find a team willing and able to take on all or part of his extensive contract. The full-back contract is valued at $11.5 million annually and is valid through the conclusion of the 2026–2027 season.
AFP
Meanwhile, Karlsson could get his hands on a third James Norris trophy. The right-hander is coming off his statistically best season of his career, in which he has 25 goals and 76 assists for 101 points in 82 games.