Both sides in the pending sale are using the EK situation as leverage.
The Sens floated the bizarre "allow him to negotiate with other teams" to make it seem like a trade was imminent.
EK's camp responded in kind by refusing to negotiate with anyone.
EK is worth more to a trading partner if he is willing to re-sign there.
I don't think Karlsson is willing/wanting to sign with anyone at this point.
I believe that he has watched the Tavares "courting period" and wants to go that same route.
A whole year to build up to allows teams to prepare cap room (and $$$) for him also the cap will go up next year very likely so more money in the system for a potential Karlsson huge payday.
Also why would he want to have a team trade for him and give up depth in a trade when he is hoping to have the best team around him when he tries to win a cup with them for the next seven years.
The Sens camp decides to allow him to negotiate with other teams not because they feel Karlsson will do that but maybe so other teams can contact him and try and persuade him to sign with them for that potential 8th year and giving the Sens a better return than what they have been offered so far. Also as a PR move they can say that they have tried to give Kalsson every opportunity to go where he wants.
Karlsson is refusing to negotiate with anyone not because he wants to stay in Ottawa but for the money and notoriety of waiting to be next year's July 1st big UFA fish.
I hope for Ottawa's sake that Melnyk sells the team but it just seems like wishful thinking to me.