Karlsson takes solo lap, gets video tribute in return to Ottawa

Erik Karlsson got some exclusive ice time in his return to Ottawa on Saturday.

Thanks to teammate Joe Thornton, the San Jose Sharks defenseman took a solo twirl around the rink at the start of warmups for his first game back against the Ottawa Senators since he was traded on Sept. 13.

Karlsson, who spent his first nine NHL seasons in Ottawa, including his final four as Senators captain, before he was traded to San Jose, initially was unaware he was on the ice by himself but smiled when he saw his teammates join him.
The crowd at Canadian Tire Centre cheered Karlsson every chance it got, especially when the Senators showed a video tribute for him during the first period. Karlsson acknowledged the fans, who gave him a standing ovation after the video ended.

It's a day Karlsson surely won't forget.
"It's a lot of different emotions," Karlsson told NBC Sports Bay Area. "It's very different to be on the other side of things, but at the end of the day this is a lifelong memory and something I'm always going to hold dear."