Report: Sens could discount Karlsson if team is willing to take Bobby Ryan

The Ottawa Senators have reportedly let it be known that superstar defenseman Erik Karlsson's price in a potential trade could be discounted if their trade partner takes forward Bobby Ryan as part of the deal, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie.

Related: Report: Senators open to trading Karlsson ahead of deadline

Ryan comes with an annual cap hit of $7.25 million through the 2021-22 campaign - his age-34 season.

To say Ryan has been a disappointment since coming over to Ottawa from Anaheim in the 2013 offseason would be an understatement. His play has declined further over the past two seasons, as he's collected just 20 goals and 25 assists in 101 games.

The Senators are reportedly aware that including Ryan would reduce the quality of the package they would receive in a potential Karlsson trade, but getting out from under his contract would help the small-market team in a potential rebuild.

By no means does a possible Karlsson blockbuster have to include Ryan, McKenzie reports, and the Sens aren't interested in moving Karlsson simply as an avenue to dump the forward's contract.