Erik Karlsson might sign with a Swedish team next week. Karlsson played for Vastra Frolunda HC before he started his NHL career and that seems like his most probable destination. The Swedish Elite League originally wasn't allowing locked out NHLers to sign with their clubs, but the Sweden's Competition Authority overruled their stance.

Erik Karlsson is still gathering information regarding the possibility of playing in Sweden. Karlsson is coming off a stunning season where he recorded 78 points in 81 games. He inked a seven-year deal with the Ottawa Senators over the summer.

Erik Karlsson has arrived in Ottawa for informal workouts, but he is also pondering where to play if there's a work stoppage to start the year. "We don't have that many options," he said. "Russia is one, but I don't know if you want to go there. We'll see about that. Switzerland is going to be hard. They only have so many imports on each team. Maybe the Swedish League changes its mind once (a lockout) gets closer." The Swedish Elite League said earlier this summer that they would take players for anything less than a year-one deal, but they may be loosening on that statement due to the tantalizing prospect of bringing over high-profile Swedish-born players.

Ottawa GM Bryan Murray is confident that Erik Karlsson will continue to grow next season after his breakthrough 2011-12 campaign. "I think he'll get better," Murray said. "No, I know he'll get better." Karlsson led all defensemen with 78 points in 81 games, but he was held in check during the postseason to one goal in seven contests in the Senators' first-round exit versus New York. The Rangers made him pay a physical price practically every shift and they monitored him closely in the attacking zone, which are tactics that will probably be adopted by the majority of Ottawa's opponents this year. However, Murray believes that the young blueliner will adapt and create chances for his teammates. That being said, it will be difficult for him to match his impressive totals, but he'll still be an excellent draft choice among offensive defenders for 2012-13.

Las Vegas has been very good to Erik Karlsson. A day after picking up a seven-year, $45.5 million contract, the Ottawa Senators' superstar won the Norris Trophy to open the NHL Awards show in Vegas Wednesday night. Karlsson, 22, beat out Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins and Shea Weber of the Nashville Predators as the league's top defenseman. He finished the year leading all defensemen in scoring with a career-high 78 points, 25 more than the Winnipeg Jets' Dustin Byfuglien and the Florida Panthers' Brian Campbell. His point total was the most by a blueliner since Nicklas Lidstrom of the Detroit Red Wings hit 80 points in 2005-06. "One of the best days of my life," said Karlsson. "It's pretty hard to say how great it feels." Ending his season to remember, Karlsson will add another "best" day to his life as he'll be getting married in the next three weeks. Karlsson becomes the youngest winner since Denis Potvin took home the first of his three Norris Trophies in 1976.

Erik Karlsson has signed a seven-year contract extension with the Ottawa Senators. Terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed. Karlsson broke out in 2011-12 with 19 goals and 78 points in 81 games to lead all blueliners in scoring.

Ottawa GM Bryan Murry doesn't believe that Erik Karlsson's price will change if he emerges from Wednesday's NHL Awards with the Norris Trophy. "We're cheering like crazy for him to win," said Murray. "It's not going to change one penny. People have suggested it (will), but we all know where we are with this guy. I've made no secret of it with Erik and his agents. We all know this is a good hockey player and this is a guy we want in our fold for a number of years. We think he is, and hopefully we're right, on the upswing of his career and he should be an exciting player for Ottawa fans to watch for a lot of years." Murray and Karlsson's agent, Craig Oster, are slated to engage in face-to-face talks this week.

Erik Karlsson is the Ottawa Senators' brightest light and the Ottawa Senators fully intend to lock up the star defenseman with a long-term contract. "I believe his people are going to be in Vegas (for the NHL awards this week) and I'm hoping that they'll buy me a coffee," Ottawa general manager Bryan Murray said. "Maybe we can sit down and talk one of the mornings before the awards ceremony. We haven't thrown numbers around, we don't know, but we do know we want to get together." Karlsson, selected 15th overall in 2008, had a breakthrough season and is a cornerstone player for the Sens. Karlsson is coming off his entry-level contract that had a cap hit of $1.3-million and is looking for a significant increase. Murray knows another team can present an offer sheet, but isn't overly concerned by the prospect. "I'm not saying something wouldn't happen with another club, but I can't imagine that they wouldn't think that we would match no matter what," said Murray. "We're going to negotiate on the basis that we have time. We will get it done. It sounds like both parties want to get it done."

Senators coach Paul MacLean thinks Erik Karlsson should win the Norris Trophy. "Will he win? I don't know," MacLean said. "Should he win? I believe he has done enough to do it." Obviously, we wouldn't expect a different answer from his coach, but there is certainly an argument to be made for Karlsson. He's not a physical force, but he recorded 25 points more than the next best blueliner. That level of domination in one important category is remarkable. Ultimately, his offensive contributions might not be enough to give him an edge among the Norris Trophy finalists, but either way he's clearly the best fantasy defenseman in standard leagues.

Erik Karlsson is optimistic about his ongoing contract talks with the Ottawa Senators. Karlsson is scheduled to become a restricted free agent this summer. He's interested in signing a long-term contract and he is certainly in a position to make major demands after recording 78 points last season. That being said, Karlsson is optimistic that the two sides can come to terms. "There are no issues," Karlsson said. "I want to stay and they want me, so I don't think there are going to be any problems signing a new contract."