Karlsson: 'I want to win in Ottawa'

The Ottawa Senators captain is making his stance loud and clear.

Though the Senators have essentially hit rock bottom, having won just once in their last 12 games, Erik Karlsson remains adamant that winning in Canada's capital is his top priority.

"It's all about winning," Karlsson told Sportsnet's Arash Madani. "I want to be on a - I've been here for nine seasons. I've invested my entire career into this organization. They've given me everything that I feel like I need to succeed. I think we're moving in the right direction. This is the place I want to win. I want to win in Ottawa."

Karlsson is set to be an unrestricted free agent following the 2018-19 season, and has already stated that he isn't interested in taking any sort of hometown discount to stay with the Senators.

Given Karlsson's status as one of the game's best players, his current $6.5-million cap hit could potentially come close to doubling if he were to test the market.

That would make it difficult for the small-market Senators to lock him up long term, considering that Mark Stone is set for a significant pay increase this offseason, and Bobby Ryan and Dion Phaneuf have a combined annual cap hit of $14.25 million beyond 2019.

Ottawa currently trails the Boston Bruins by seven points for third place in the Atlantic Division.