Erik Karlsson scored in Jokerit's 5-1 victory over Hameenlinna. It was Karlsson's first game in SM-liiga. Karlsson will try to stay sharp so that he'll be ready for the start of the 2012-13 NHL season if the union and owners come to an agreement in time to save it. Karlsson took a huge step forward in 2011-12 with 19 goals and 78 points in 81 games.

Erik Karlsson could make his debut for Jokerit on Saturday. The team expects him to play but he plans to make the call after heading out there on Friday. Karlsson was initially reluctant to play overseas, but he decided he wanted to be better prepared for when NHL action starts up again. "His priority would have been to stay here and skate with his teammates, and yet as that continued on, some players left the group and Erik felt that, in order to be best prepared, he was going to need to push himself a little bit harder and play at a higher level," said his agent Craig Oster. "We all felt really comfortable that Jokerit presented a great opportunity for Erik to go and work hard and play at a high level of hockey." Playing with former Ottawa teammate and friend Jarkko Ruutu as well as having his insurance costs covered were also nice bonuses for the 2011-12 Norris Trophy winner.

Erik Karlsson has agreed to terms with Jokerit to play in the SM-liiga. Sources confirmed the deal on Wednesday after it was rumored to be close to completion on Tuesday. Karlsson's name had been linked to his former Swedish team in Frolunda, but he ended up signing on to play in Finland. It is believed that he will get his insurance costs covered there, which may have factored into his decision.

According to reports, Erik Karlsson could be close to signing with Jokerit of the Finnish Elite League. It was thought that he would be on his way to Sweden once the SEL agreed to allow locked out NHLers to join their league, but that may not be the case. Karlsson was mum on the topic when asked if he was going to play in Europe though saying, "It's a secret." Agent Craig Oster commented that a deal has not been completed yet despite several reports springing up on Twitter. However, an agreement could be reached within the next 24 hours if the rumors are true.

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.