OTTAWA, Ontario — Erik Karlsson knows firsthand how quickly life can change.
Eighteen months ago, he led the Ottawa Senators to within a goal of the Stanley Cup Final almost singlehandedly, flying around the ice like a Superman on skates with dashing good looks to boot. The world was his oyster.
Now, after a string of personal hardships, including a trade away from the town he calls his “forever city,” Karlsson is getting a fresh start in San Jose. As Karlsson returns to Ottawa for the first time since September’s blockbuster trade, the Sharks are hoping he rekindles the magic he created in Canada’s capitol and brings the first Stanley Cup to the Bay Area.