LAS VEGAS -- Somebody pinch Erik Karlsson before he wakes up. Cheap Jerseys No Fees . The Ottawa Senators defenceman arrived in Las Vegas hoping to become the youngest winner of the Norris Trophy in more than two decades and ended up signing a life-changing US$45.5-million, seven-year contract extension a day before the winner was even announced. "Its a special feeling," Karlsson said Tuesday at the Wynn Las Vegas. "Im very happy we could get it done here while everyones here. We can talk about it and be happy. Hopefully theyre as happy as I am." Who could have predicted this a year ago? Karlsson endured the struggles expected of a young defenceman during his first two years in the NHL before taking flight this season. His 78 points were 25 more than any other blue-liner managed and helped make him a Norris Trophy finalist at Wednesdays award show along with Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins and Shea Weber of the Nashville Predators. Just like that, hes become the NHLs sixth highest-paid defenceman with his second pro contract. "Im very happy that Im here right now," said Karlsson. "Its not something that I counted on this early in my career. Im very grateful to especially Ottawa for letting me be who I am and playing my game and developing into the kind of player I am today. "It has a lot to do with them." The negotiations presented Senators general manager Bryan Murray with an interesting quandary: Do you reward Karlsson with a megadeal based on one outstanding season or elect to go with a shorter term and see if he can do it again? Murray weighed the merits of each approach before signing the Swede through the 2018-19 season. "Hes a cornerstone guy," said Murray. "Hes a young man with a great future. I think the way he took off this year tells us that over the next number of years he will continue to improve and be a guy we can build around." The deal came together quickly after Murray met with Karlssons agent Craig Ostler in Las Vegas on Monday night. A new contract was completed by Tuesday morning. Not only did it guarantee that Karlsson will leave Las Vegas as a winner no matter what happens at the awards show, it also ensures hell face a new level of pressure next season after becoming Ottawas second highest-paid player behind Jason Spezza. "Its going to be higher expectations from everyone, especially from you (media) guys," said Karlsson. "Thats the way it is. Its not something that kind of snuck up on me. I know how it is and I know how it works. "Im going to try and play my best every night. Its all I can do. Im not happy where I am today, Im still trying to be a better hockey player." The expectations will be increased all over the nations capital following a surprising season that saw the Senators send a strong contingent to the end-of-year awards banquet. Not only did Karlsson earn the Norris nomination, but coach Paul MacLean is up for the Jack Adams Award and captain Daniel Alfredsson is a finalist for the Masterton Trophy. No one was happier to see Karlsson ink the long-term deal than Alfredsson, who invited the rookie defenceman to live with his family a couple seasons back. "Hes a person that everybody likes to be around," said Alfredsson. "His skill on the ice is unbelievable and I think were just starting to see his potential. At 22, to be able to accomplish already what he has, is unbelievable. Its been extremely fun being part of the start of his career. "Im happy for him to get this deal." Alfredsson credits MacLeans arrival in Ottawa for playing an "influential" role in Karlssons development because of the coachs past experience with star players while working as an assistant for the Detroit Red Wings. MacLean is thrilled hell have the opportunity to continue working with his star pupil. "I think its important that were sending the right message to our team that were serious about winning and we want to win and if youre an important player on our team were going to take the steps that are necessary to do it," he said. "I think Bryan has historically has done that over the years. This is just another indication of his will to win and also (owner) Eugene Melnyks willingness to spend what we need to in the right ways in order to give ourselves a chance to win." Looking back, its hard to believe Karlsson was taken 15th overall at the 2008 draft -- a move that now appears to be a major coup. With his new contract in hand, the defenceman is hoping to repay the organization for all of the faith it has shown in him. "Im very pleased with everything theyve done for me," said Karlsson. "Committing to seven years is very big. Im very, very grateful for that. Now its up to me to show that all of those seven years are going to be worth it." Cheap Jerseys Direct . 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Luck dropped back, then moved up to avoid pressure and buy time for a teammate to get open, tossed a short pass to Donnie Avery, and the receiver did the rest -- racing untouched for a 14-yard touchdown and giving the Colts a 35-33 comeback win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday.SACRAMENTO, Calif. - It appears the Sacramento Kings can play well without their controversial leading scorer and rebounder, DeMarcus Cousins. With Cousins not in the arena due for disciplinary reasons, the Kings were an effective, unselfish team. Now the question is whether they can keep it up. Marcus Thornton scored 18 of his 22 points in the second half to help the slumping Kings snap Portlands five-game winning streak with a 108-96 victory over the Trail Blazers on Sunday night. Cousins, who is the starting centre, was suspended indefinitely Saturday for unprofessional behaviour and conduct detrimental to the team. The third-year player and Kings head coach Keith Smart had a confrontation during halftime of Fridays 97-85 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Smart told Cousins to stay in the locker room and not join the team for the second half. Sacramento had six players in double figures and recorded a season-high 31 assists against Portland. The Kings pulled away in the second half, shooting nearly 71 per cent after the break. Using its eighth different starting lineup this season, Sacramento had a season-best 45 field goals. "We were missing DeMarcus, so we had a different lineup out there and it worked out tonight," said James Johnson, who made a rare start at power forward while Jason Thompson moved to centre. "We were a small team tonight so we ran fast and played very unselfish." Both Thornton and Salmons helped spark the second-half surge after both were relative non-factors in the opening half. The pair combined for 31 second-half points, helping the Kings pull away. Thornton made 8 of 11 shots in the second half and finished with four rebounds and four assists. Salmons had 13 of his 15 points in the second half and also added seven rebounds and seven assists. "John is a very unselfish player and can get his own shots," Thornton said. "He got going in the second half. Me and the first half didnt do so well. But I came on at the right time and got hot in the second half." Already ahead by nine points, the Kings opened the fourth quarter with a 7-0 run, including a 3-pointer by Thornton, to build their lead to 87-71. The Blazers trailed by at least 12 the rest of the way. "I just think it was one of those games where the other team played better than us," Portland rookie guard Damian Lillard said. "There probably were some defensive mistakes we made that we shouldnt have and they took advantagge of it. Cheap Jerseys Online. " Former Blazer Travis Outlaw had a season-high 15 points and Isaiah Thomas added 11 for the Kings, who had lost six of their previous seven games. Both Thompson and Johnson chipped in 10 points. "Its definitely fun playing against some former teammates," Outlaw said. "I wish I could go out and do it against other teams that well. Everybody got great looks at the rim tonight. We played very unselfish." LaMarcus Aldridge had 22 points and 11 rebounds for the Blazers, who have lost two of three meetings with the Kings this season. Lillard had 15 points and seven assists, Nicolas Batum scored 17, and JJ Hickson had 14 points and 11 rebounds. The Kings havent said when Cousins will be allowed to rejoin the team again. He was told not to attend the game. Cousins is averaging team bests of 16.6 points and 9.5 rebounds. "There are a few things we need to sit down and talk about," Smart said. "We have a couple of days before our next game and our executive staff will discuss things and go from there." Sacramento also played without starting guard Tyreke Evans, who missed his fourth straight game with a sore left knee. Evans, the Kings second-leading scorer, has missed 8 of the past 12 games. "I thought they played very well without their key players," Portland coach Terry Stotts said. "In this league when players are missing for whatever reasons the other players take that as an opportunity to play well." The scoring of Thornton kept the Kings on top in the third quarter. The streak-shooting Thornton had 11 points and Brooks hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer, helping Sacramento carry an 80-71 lead into the fourth. Outlaw keyed a second-quarter effort by Sacramentos reserves. He had 13 points and Thomas had eight points and five assists, helping the Kings outscore Portland 28-15 and take a 49-42 lead into halftime. Trailing by 10 early in the second quarter, the Kings responded with a 15-0 run to take a 36-31 lead. Notes: Portland made just 7 of 24 from 3-point range. ... Blazers starting guard Wesley Matthews has a left hip injury and didnt travel with the team. Seldom-used Victor Claver started in the Blazers backcourt. ... Outlaws 13 points in the second quarter was two more than his season high entering the game. He scored 11 points against the Blazers in a Kings victory in Portland on Dec. 8. ... The two teams dont play again until Dec. 26 in Portland. ' ' '