THE YEAR AHEAD

OLD FACES, NEW PLACES

ERIK KARLSSON, SAN JOSE SHARKS

At some point teams will simply stop taking phone calls from Doug Wilson.

San Jose’s larcenous general manager, who previously swiped franchise players Joe Thornton and Brent Burns from distressed sellers, emptied the pockets of his counterpart in Ottawa with the stunning late-summer acquisition of Karlsson. It was a move that clearly demonstrated the Sharks are in it to win it all this season. Adding the two-time Norris Trophy winner to a blueline that already featured Burns and Marc-Edouard

Vlasic gives them a clear defensive edge over every NHL team outside, perhaps, of Nashville. Mix in an elite top-six forward group and an excellent, if underrated, goaltender in Martin Jones and San Jose looks to be capable of claiming the prize. Karlsson’s hobby presence has never equaled his impact on the ice but San Jose is a market that seems to amplify a player’s best characteristics. This could be the year collectors finally pay him his due.

PHOTO COURTESY BRANDON MAGNUS