Karlsson, a two-time Norris Trophy winner, is second on the Senators with 56 points (eight goals, 48 assists) in 66 games after leading Ottawa in scoring each of the past four seasons. The 27-year-old defenseman has one season remaining on a seven-year contract he signed June 19, 2012. He can become an unrestricted free agent July 1, 2019.
Dorion also said coach Guy Boucher will be re-evaluated after the season. Ottawa, which lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final last season, is 26-36-11 and was eliminated from Stanley Cup Playoff contention Thursday with a 6-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers.
"When it comes to our coach, and our coaching staff, we all feel that Guy's still a very good coach," Dorion said. "But in saying that, we didn't meet expectations, so when the end of the year comes, I think we'll have to re-evaluate what we're doing with our coaching staff.
"I think right now to give a vote of confidence or do the opposite isn't the right thing. I think we still have nine games to play, and at the end of the season we'll sit down and definitely look at that."
Dorion also said the Senators will would try to work out a contract with forward Matt Duchene during the offseason. The Senators acquired Duchene from the Colorado Avalanche on Nov. 5 in a three-team trade in which Ottawa sent two draft picks, goaltender Andrew Hammond and forward Shane Bowers, their first-round pick (No. 28) in the 2017 NHL Draft, to Colorado, and center Kyle Turris to the Nashville Predators.
Duchene has 50 points (23 goals, 27 assists) in 73 games this season, including 40 points (19 goals, 21 assists) in 59 games with Ottawa. He has one season remaining on a five-year contract and can become an unrestricted free agent July 1, 2019.
