Erik Carlson on NHL move to Pittsburgh Penguins: ‘Everything is world class’

Stockholm. It’s not just teammates, coaches, and fans who are rejoicing that Eric Carlson will become the Pittsburgh Penguin.

He himself is also a lyricist.

– Yes, it feels really good, I think it will be just as wonderful, says the star from Småland as we catch him during his first visit to his new hometown.

It’s been clear since last spring that Erik Carlson will likely get his way and be traded from the San Jose Sharks – who will be uncompetitive for several seasons due to intense “rebuilding” – but only last Sunday behind the Pittsburgh Penguins’ new president Kyle Dubas relieved Complex business in the port.

Then the reaction in western Pennsylvania became more ecstatic.

Fans, teammates, coaches… they’ve all been talking in tongues practically for a few days that the young player who as recently as this past spring won his third Norris Cup is going to become a Penguin.

Players like Erik are very hard to come by, and that’s one of a kind. It will take us to a whole new level in one fell swoop. So it’s hard not to be excited about, say, head coach Mike Sullivan heading to The Athletic on Tuesday.

“Everything is really world class”

Eric is happy even for his part, it turns out when we meet him during his first visit to his new hometown since the deal closed.

– It feels a little sad at the same time, it’s always like when you let go of something you love, and we still had a great time in San Jose, he says.

– But above all, it’s good that it turned out the way it did. The process took a little longer than everyone involved had hoped, but that’s how it happens sometimes. Now I am very satisfied and excited. I’ve been here for about a day now and everything is really world class. The training ground, the fans, the team-mates you met, the welcome from the club… everything.

A number of other teams competed in World’s Best Carlson this summer – among them Carolina, Toronto and Edmonton – and Eric spoke with many of them.

– It was never the case that I was focused on one particular club, I was very open in the process and listened to everyone. But with hindsight, penguins feel like the better choice, he continues.

I’ve played against them on many occasions over the years and know exactly how good a team they are. A chance for a Stanley Cup challenge? Yeah, I think we have, the team looks really strong. But at the same time, the league keeps getting better and better, and many teams in our league are really bad. That’s exactly what I’m looking forward to, to really be able to get involved and compete again.

He gets his new Swedish teammates

Like I said, I’ve met Sidney Crosby and the others many times, not least when he led the Penguins to victory in the Conference Final against you in Ottawa in 2017.

– Yes, that bastard… Haha. No, of course I have great respect for Sid, he is undoubtedly one of the best hockey players in the world.

Have you spoken to him now?

– Yes, we communicated several times during this process, he helped us and told us how things work here. I don’t know him very well, so it would be really fun to get to know him more and make him a teammate. And playing with him, of course. I think that would be great.

You get some new Swedish colleagues too. Do you know them before?

– I know Ricard Raquel and I’m in contact with him now. I’m also somewhat familiar with Marcus Peterson, and as for Andreas Johnson, I actually played several seasons with his father, Jonas, in Frolunda. Then he came to San Jose at the end of last season.

Nylander Jr., Alex, is another native to play with.

– Yes, he is here too. Yes, even his father, Michael, played with him. But then he was very young so I can’t say we know each other. But it will be interesting to meet him.

“I can not wait”

As we speak, Eric has been driving around the sultry surroundings outside of downtown Pittsburgh to find suitable lodging for the family, which in addition to wife Melinda includes children Harlow Raine (about 4 years old) and Stellan (about 18 months old).

– There is a lot to take in, but there are much nicer areas than I knew I’d only seen the center itself before. He says that it will definitely work out in the best way.

– Tonight (Wednesday) we go home to Ottawa and begin to deal with what needs to be done, there will be a lot to arrange before such a move.

In the middle of next month, however, the boards should settle, because in that vein, Pittsburgh’s big preseason camp begins in Cranberry Township’s posh training hall.

Then a new penguin is in its place – with motivation like never before.

– Yes, I can hardly wait. He explains that I am very excited.