Looking Back - Is the Erik Karlsson trade one of the worst in the cap era?

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Joshua Deeds
August 28, 2022 (2:04 PM)

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On September 13th, 2018, the Ottawa Senators sent Erik Karlsson, and prospect Francis Perron to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Chris Tierney, Rudolf Balcers, Dylan Demelo, Josh Norris, and a 2nd round pick in the 2019 draft, a 2020 1st round pick and a 2021 2nd round pick.

Karlsson has been battling injuries and disappointing production in his time with San Jose.

Karlsson only played 50 games last season, battling multiple injuries from his forearm to an undisclosed injury in April.

Karlsson underwent surgery to repair a small muscle tear in his left forearm on Monday and will miss at least 6-to-7 weeks. This is a terrible break for Karlsson, who was having a resurgent year, scoring eight goals with 18 assists (26 points) in 33 games.

He finished his season with 35 points in total, which is not a bad output for someone whose been struggling. However, since his arrival in San Jose, Karlsson has only made it to the playoffs once and the results have not been as advertised.

Chris Tierney has been a great bottom-six Center during his time in Ottawa, who had brief success but has since gone on to sign in Florida during free agency, along with Rudolfs Balcers, who was a part of this tree.

Balcers was also another forward who had failed to save himself from being waived by the San Jose Sharks, after being reacquired after the Senators put him on waivers in 2021. Balcers posted a modest 23 points and has since signed with the Florida Panthers for one year.

Dylan Demelo, turned out to lack the production to stay with the Senators who after netting 10 assists. Demelo is absolutely more of a defensive-defenseman, who is good at moving the puck and the penalty kill and has maintained a job in the Winnipeg Jets organization.

The 2020 1st round pick, ended up being the lottery pick by Alex Trebek and would become german Center, Tim Stutzle who has been a staple in the lineup since moving up to the NHL during the bubble season.

The picks mentioned above became prospects in the organization: Zack Ostapchuk, Leevi Merilainen, and Mads Sogaard.

Back in 2018-2019, Eugene Melnyk was the laughing stock of the NHL, but now with Pierre Dorion taking over and the daughters running the organization, they're in a serious rebuild with lots of talent in the pipeline.