Senators' Karlsson sitting out season-ending road trip to be with family

Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson did not travel with the team for its season-ending three-game road trip, choosing instead to remain home with his wife Melinda following the recent death of their infant son, Axel.

The Senators confirmed his absence Tuesday, according to NHL.com.

Karlsson made waves Monday by keeping the puck after what could have been his final home game with the club, as trade talk has followed the all-world defenseman for weeks.

With this new development, Ottawa's loss to the Winnipeg Jets could very well end up being his Senators swan song.

Karlsson ends his season with nine goals and 53 assists in 71 games, and is currently fourth among rearguards in total points.

General manager Pierre Dorion has said the team plans to offer Karlsson a contract extension July 1; failing an agreement, the defenseman can become an unrestricted free agent in 2019.

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