Erik Karlsson is going to be one of the biggest names on the free agent market this NHL offseason, and no doubt wanting to win will be a big part of his decision.
Luckily for San Jose Sharks fans hoping to sign him, it seems as though he might have felt closer than ever to a Stanley Cup victory. If we’re going by actual wins, Erik Karlsson has actually been closer to the Stanley Cup one other time. In 2017, the Ottawa Senators were led by Karlsson to overtime in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final. They were literally one goal away.
Still, it’s interesting to hear that even with that, he still felt much closer this year in San Jose.
He actually thought they could win. Some people are taking it as a shot at his old team, but it feels more like a real analysis of their rosters and the teams they were up against.
It’s interesting that you hear players think about that kind of thing. Ottawa was realistically in the same position in their division as San Jose was this year. They had three more points this season as well, but the main thing is that on paper, most people would say the Sharks roster is the stronger one on paper.
Usually you think of players thinking that they always have a chance and that they can take down anyone, but clearly things felt a little different this year in San Jose.
Who knows what Karlsson’s main motivation for his next home will be, but with those comments you have to think he’ll want to be on another team that feels like they can make a real run at a Stanley Cup.
Either way, he’ll hope to be healthy for his next Cup run as well.
