Karlsson putting future with Senators on back burner

Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson said he is focusing on the present and not the future, trying to help the Senators climb in the NHL standings rather than thinking about becoming an unrestricted free agent after next season.
Speaking at Media Day on Saturday, prior to the 2018 Honda NHL All-Star Game on Sunday at Amalie Arena in Tampa (3:30 p.m. ET; NBC, CBC, SN, TVA Sports), Karlsson said he's prepared to put off talks about a contract and concentrate on how the Senators can improve in the second half of the season.

Ottawa, which lost to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins in seven games in the Eastern Conference Final last season, is 15-23-9 and seventh in the Atlantic Division, 17 points from the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
"Whenever I have to make a decision on what I need to do with my future and when we have to make those discussions, we will," Karlsson said. "As of right now, it's not something that I'm focusing on or worrying about. I'm just worrying about trying to get us out of the slump were in and trying to find a solution to the problems we do have.
"Whenever the summer comes around, I think the discussions are going to heat up a little bit more, and that's when I'll probably sit back and reflect on the things I want in my career. I'm sure Ottawa's going to give me their perspective of things as well, and then were going to move on from there."

The Senators, who have lost five straight, resume their season at the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; FS-CR, RDS2, TSN5, NHL.TV). Karlsson, Ottawa's captain, said he is determined to help them play meaningful games down the stretch and claw back into the playoff race.
"I think everybody knows were in a tough situation right now, but it's something we brought upon ourselves," the 27-year-old said. "I think that at the end of the day we've got to find a way to become the team that we want to be and try to build something, whether it's for this year or next. I think we're going to have to make some changes … and when we do I think that were going to come out stronger for it.
"This is an experience that's no fun, but I think you can learn a lot from it … I think we're all dedicated and motivated to do whatever we can to become what we want to be … and I think you've got to look ahead and move forward and not think about what-ifs."
Karlsson, a two-time Norris Trophy winner as the NHL's top defenseman, has 487 points (121 goals, 366 assists) in 598 games; he's in his ninth season, all with the Senators. After missing the first five games this season following offseason ankle surgery, he has 31 points (four goals, 27 assists) in 42 games.
He said there's plenty of time for off-ice decisions to be made.
"At the end of the day, we've always had a good relationship up in Ottawa," he said. "It's my hometown, it's where I'm going to settle down when I'm done … I enjoy it there, my wife is from there, my son is going to be born there.
"When it comes down to it, we'll handle it. As of right now … whether it's me or the organization, were not worried about the future. I think right now we're trying to take care of the immediate problem, and trying to get us out of the slump were in and move forward."