Sharks GM sees Karlsson in San Jose's long-term plans

Erik Karlsson is no rental in Doug Wilson's eyes.

The San Jose Sharks general manager envisions the superstar defenseman as part of the club's future beyond the upcoming season.

"It's a long-term approach and we think Erik fits for now and for a long time," Wilson told reporters, including The Athletic's Craig Custance, after landing Karlsson in a trade with the Ottawa Senators on Thursday.

The all-world blue-liner is a pending unrestricted free agent entering the final year of the seven-year, $45-million pact he inked with the Senators in 2012, at a cap hit of $6.5 million.

Karlsson didn't want to talk about the likelihood of an extension with the Sharks when asked about it in the aftermath of the trade.

"As for right now, that's a private discussion and not something I'm going to elaborate on," he said on a conference call Thursday, according to NHL.com's Nick Cotsonika.

The Sharks have some decisions to make for 2019-20, as 34-year-old captain Joe Pavelski and 39-year-old franchise fixture Joe Thornton are also pending UFAs.

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