5 best fits for Erik Karlsson in NHL free agency

By Simon Vacca | Jun 5, 2018

OTTAWA, ON - JANUARY 06: Ottawa Senators Defenceman Erik Karlsson (65) prepares for a face-off during first period National Hockey League action between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Ottawa Senators on January 6, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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OTTAWA, ON – FEBRUARY 06: Ottawa Senators Defenceman Erik Karlsson (65) stickhandles the puck as New Jersey Devils Left Wing Taylor Hall (9) defends during the first period of the NHL game between the Ottawa Senators and the New Jersey Devils on Feb. 6, 2018 at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Steven Kingsman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. New Jersey Devils

Prior to the 2017-18 NHL season, the New Jersey Devils were expected to end up at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division. Despite having secured the first overall pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Nico Hischier, few regarded the team as a legitimate force in the Eastern Conference. Promising, yes — but still a means away from Stanley Cup contention.

Over the course of the ensuing campaign, the Devils worked tirelessly to prove to critics that they were mistaken. Taylor Hall led the charge, tallying 39 goals and 54 assists in 76 matchups. His 26-game point streak was the talk of the league for weeks on end — as such, Hall has skated his way into consideration for both the Ted Lindsay Award and the Hart Memorial Trophy for the NHL’s MVP. The aforementioned Hischier, rookie defender Will Butcher, Kyle Palmieri and Brian Boyle also played pivotal roles during the season, as the Devils shocked the world of sport by qualifying for the playoffs.

Now that five years of frustration have seemingly come to a conclusion, the pressure falls on GM Ray Shero to oversee a newfound culture of winning ways. As any fan of the franchise will tell you, a central feature of this process is the acquisition of an irrefutable No. 1 defender.

Karlsson fits the mould for everything that the Devils are expecting and more. He’s an unmatched talent who marries offensive astuteness with defensive accountability on the right side and would gel particularly well with the likes of a core led by Hall and Hischier. The Senators’ asking price for him shall be vast, but the promise of solid two-way strength for years on end could definitely propel Shero to enter into negotiations with Dorion and Co.

Look for the Devils to do everything in their power to add to their roster throughout the offseason. There’s little doubt that the acquisition of Sami Vatanen was a step in the right direction, but they’ll need a top-tier defender to bolster their blue line. If management is wise, they’ll offer Karlsson a seat at the head of the negotiations table.

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