Erik Karlsson Trade: Collection Of Quotes, Tweets And Thoughts From The Media
Thoughts from the media and quotes from GM after the Erik Karlsson trade to the San Jose Sharks.
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A collection of quotes and thoughts from the media on the Erik Karlsson trade to the San Jose Sharks 

Stephen Whyno: San Jose Sharks GM Doug Wilson on trading for Karlsson: “It’s extremely rare that players of this caliber become available. The word ‘elite’ is often thrown around casually but Erik’s skillset and abilities fit that description like few other players in today’s game.”

Stephen Whyno: Ottawa Senators GM Pierre Dorion on Karlsson: “Erik is an exceptional hockey player whose skills delighted our fans for the past nine years. … This is the right moment for us to rebuild our team and shape our future with a faster, younger and more competitive team on the ice.”

David Pagnotta: GM Dorion: “This is the right moment for us to rebuild our team, and shape our future with a faster, younger and more competitive team on the ice. We are going to build a culture of consistency which will allow this team to sustain better performance over the long term.”

Nick Cotsonika: “With Burns, Karlsson and Vlasic, Wilson said: “We feel we have three of the NHL’s top defensemen and stand as a better team today than we were yesterday.”

NHL Public Relations: “The now have the top two point-producing defensemen in the NHL since 2009-10 (when Karlsson entered the League): : 126-392—518 : 147-302—449″

Down Goes Brown: “My question about the whole “extra pick if he winds up in the East” condition is do the Senators actually care about that, and if so how did it impact talks with Tampa or Washington or whoever else?”

David Pagnotta: “My understanding, keys to any EK deal for OTT from Day 1: 1) NHL center (Tierney), 2) top prospect (Norris), 3) 1st RD (2020), 4) dman (DeMelo), 5) 1st if EK re-signs (now a 2nd unless SJ makes SCF) OTT got that + another prospect (Balcers) & extra 2nd. They felt best deal avail”

Sportsnet Stats: “Erik Karlsson tied or led the in points in each of the last 5 seasons. That is tied with Ray Bourque for the most seasons leading a team in points by a defenceman in NHL history.”

Pierre LeBrun: “Joe Thornton via text message when I asked him for his reaction on his team getting Erik Karlsson: “F—— Incredible!”

Renaud Lavoie: “By not signing a contract extension, it’s clear that the hands and hands were tight. And that’s why Ottawa needed protection in the deal. By agreeing to a new deal, Max Pacioretty facilitated the trade between the and the ”

Stephen Whyno: “For those noting Sharks traded 2019 first-round pick to Sabres for Evander Kane, there’s a condition on that pick that allows them to forego until 2020 IF they miss playoffs in 2019, which explains condition in Erik Karlsson deal. Only 2019 if they miss.”

Shawn Simpson: “Sharks take almost nothing off their current roster, while adding the best D man on the planet. Great work from Doug Wilson. Those futures better be great, and Norris a stud prospect or Dorion is in trouble. Either way it feels like a forced trade before camp opens.”

Mike Kelly: “It’s not always easy to evaluate a trade in real time – sometimes it takes years. Not this one. Ottawa just traded one of the most impactful players in the game for an incredibly underwhelming return. Doug Wilson continues to dunk on the Senators.”

Dean Brown: “Senators are especially excited about prospects Josh Norris and Rudolfs Balcers.  Norris just happens to be Brady Tkachuck’s best friend.”

Chris Peters: “For this being the most significant trade of the team’s rebuild, they didn’t get enough back. No A-level roster player and no A-level prospects with a likely late first-round pick. I like Norris and Balcers, think they’ll both be NHLers to varying degrees of success, but man…”

Dimitri Filipovic: “I think the Ottawa Senators actually did OK here other than the fact that they managed to come out of this trade without Timo Meier, any premium asset of note really, Bobby Ryan’s contract still in tow, all while further alienating their already understandably disgruntled fanbase”

Shayna: “With the Senators 0/2 on big offseason trades… I can’t even imagine how shitty fans are feeling, especially since it probably is only going to get worse when/if Stone and Duchene are traded”

Gus Katsaros: Chris Tierney: Multi-dimensional forward reliable in all situations .. hockey sense and systen adherence sets him apart .. depth, but skilled and dangerous pivot.

Scott Wheeler: “Balcers and Norris are good prospects but they aren’t great. San Jose hangs onto Meier and Merkley. I can’t imagine things going worse for Ottawa. And they’re going to lose a top-5 pick to Colorado.”

Jason Gregor: “As tweeted out earlier, not surprised at all Wilson would get Karlsson. He has never been afraid to go big game hunting. Burns, Karlsson, Vlasic and Braun as top-four D. I’d say Sharks have best top-four in the league now. Yowzas.”

Paul Gackle: “That’s a big loot but ultimately a great trade for who maintain 48 + 28. No 1st rounders in 2019 + 2020 but you’ll take that when you never draft in the lottery + you snag a couple world-class players”

Gus Katsaros: “Oof……. trading star players is about asset recovery…. this is just not a good enough return for the type of players”

Michael Traikos: “I’d initially say Montreal got more for trading Pacioretty.”

Anthony Petrielli: “So Ottawa doesn’t get back one significant player of note in a year where they don’t have their 1st round pick. Colorado is dreaming of MacKinnon- Hughes.”