We went for it with EK already. The Sens have made big, big moves in an attempt to surround EK with talent to win with him in his prime.
- We overpaid for Ryan in the trade and retaining him b/c those were going for it now kinda moves. The idea was to get the best player in the trade. Wrong or right - that was the idea.
- In the Phaneuf deal it was about moving money AND getting the best player in the trade to settle the top four 'right now.'
- We traded Zibby for Brassard, were even willing to overpay with the picks exchanged there, b/c the thinking was we were getting the better player for a play-off push and for 'right now.'
- Extended Andy b/c he was the best goalie we've ever had and our best chance to win now. Traded Lehner b/c we were all in with Andy while we had EK.
That was the plan. It almost worked. Even though I was against every single one of those moves... I was wrong - proved wrong b/c their plan almost worked. It turned out to not be such a bad idea in the short term after all. The team that was built was a Stanley Cup contender. That was what they were trying to do. I had a different vision than their plan, so I didn't like their moves, but I can't really argue that their plan didn't work.
But it didn't win and here we are trying to deal with the aftermath.
And the new plan seems to be, and I like it in theory, we need to build around a franchise center. The new plan started when they didn't protect Methot. I thought that was idiotic... but I thought we were building around EK still. We aren't. And then we moved Turris in a deal where we overpaid for Duchene. I thought we really overpaid... but I guess the thinking is we'll get those pieces back (and then some... god I hope and then some) when we move EK. Because the plan is, I think, to move EK. Because Duchene is the new plan. Because you win in the NHL with teams built around centers and the Sens think those centers are Duchene-Brown-White-and some players to be named later if his name isn't Pageau. The next group of Sens centers.
I think we can honestly admit that the management did their best to surround EK with the team to win. That was the best they could do. They were close. Closer than I thought they'd get. The Cup run took me by surprise - but it was by design.
If the Sens trade EK it will also be by design. It's an incredible development, and took me by surprise, but it's been in the works for a while now and, as before, I'm probably just coming up to speed on the plan.
Now, if the Sens trade Hoff... I'll be really confused and I'll be sitting here scratching my head wondering what's going on. If they keep EK I'd guess it'll be b/c they didn't get the right offer and will try again sometime before his contract runs out.
But to answer the OP's question, "What should fans do if Dorion trades Karlsson?" I can only speak for myself (an out of town fan) but I'm going to grab a beer, sit back, cheer for the Sens, and see what happens. Because I've been pleasantly surprised before.