Sens fans heartbroken about Karlsson trade

One of the best hockey players to ever hit the ice as an Ottawa Senator is on his way out after a decade in the national capital region.

Erik Karlsson, a two-time Norris Trophy winner, was traded Thursdayto the San Jose Sharks.

The captain was widely rumoured to be on the trading block before the NHLdraft in June,promptingemotional reactions from fans.

'It hurts'

7 years ago

Duration 0:59

Hockey fans in Ottawa react to the news that team captain Erik Karlsson has been traded to the San Jose Sharks.

'This breaks my heart'

Karlsson was dealt to the Sharks Thursdaywithprospect forward FrancisPerron.

In exchange, Ottawa got forwards ChrisTierneyandRudolfsBalcers,defencemanDylanDeMelo, prospect forward Josh Norris, a conditional 2019 second-round selection and a conditional 2020 first-round pick.

If San Jose re-signsKarlsson, Ottawa also receives a conditional 2021 second-round selection.

Reaction on social media was mixed at best.

Karlsson,who is set to become a free agent after this comingseason,had spent his entire career with the Senators.

He was drafted 15th overallby Ottawa in 2008and was named captain in 2014 following the trade of former captain Jason Spezza.

Top defenceman

During his time with the Senators, Karlssonthrice scored the most points of anydefencemanin the NHL,and was named an NHL first team all-star four times.

The Swede won the Norris trophy as the league's best defencemanin 2012 and 2015.

He holds franchise records for most points and goals by a defenceman in a regular season, and most points and assists by a defenceman in the playoffs.

Karlssonled the Senators to the Eastern Conference final in2017, but lost thetrip to the Stanley Cup final witha single overtime goal bythe PittsburghPenguins in Game 7.

Karlssonhad alsobeen rumoured to be on the trading block heading into last season'strade deadline, but remained with the team for the season.

After thedeadline passed, Karlsson said he "never wanted to leave" Ottawa.

He and his wife Melinda just launched a new anti-bullying charity with a fundraising walk in early September.

Locker room 'broken'

Thetrade comes on the heels of the departure of Sens winger Mike Hoffman.

The Hoffman trade came afterKarlsson's wife, Melinda,filed a peace bond in May alleging Hoffman'sfiance,Monika Caryk, posted hundreds of derogatory and harassing online messages aimed at the Karlssons.

Hoffman and Caryk have denied the allegations and have not been charged in relation to the alleged harassment.

Senators general manager Pierre Dorion said the Senators had to trade Hoffman because the team's dressing room was "broken."

Senators rebuilding

Karlsson'sdeparture comes amid a rebuilding effort by the Sens. In letters to fans in March and September, Senators owner Eugene Melnykpledged the team will change.

The first,addressed to season ticket holders,acknowledgedthelast season hadbeen a disaster, at least on the ice.

"Trust me, no one is more aware of this and more frustrated by it than I am," Melnyk wrote.

"Enduring a tough year has given us a chance for clear-eyed evaluation," he continued. "This is an ongoing process but I can tell you one thing: we are not looking to just tweak our lineup nor mortgage our future for stop-gap solutions."