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Erik Karlsson

Position Right Defense Current Team Pittsburgh Penguins
Shoots Right Current Contract 8 years
Height 6'0" Expires 2026-27
Weight (lbs) 185 Expiry Age (Jun 30) 37
Age 35 (May 31, 1990) Expiry Status UFA
Drafted 2008, Round 1, Overall 15 (OTT)
Date Team Transaction
Jun 17, 2019 San Jose Sharks Signed 8 years @ $11.500M AAV starting in 2019-20
Jun 19, 2012 Ottawa Senators Signed 7 years @ $6.500M AAV starting in 2012-13
May 7, 2009 Ottawa Senators Signed to an entry level contract.
Status History Coming Soon

2025-26 Player Card



URL: https://www.thestanleycap.com/cdn/player_cards/20252026/erik-karlsson-8474578.png

2024-25 Player Card



URL: https://www.thestanleycap.com/cdn/player_cards/20242025/erik-karlsson-8474578.png

2023-24 Player Card



URL: https://www.thestanleycap.com/cdn/player_cards/20232024/erik-karlsson-8474578.png

About Player Cards

Player cards present an infographic of a players performance. In this case it shows the player performance over a 3 season span. Each square is separated into three separate sub-boxes with the two smaller boxes on top representing the past two seasons and the larger box on the bottom representing the current or most recent season. This allows the reader to guage how consistent a player has been, and if early in the season it can help identify whether a players performance may be impacted by small sample size and subject to regression or is consistent with recent past performance.

Notes and Definitions
  • The numbers represent percentiles so the higher the better.
  • Percentiles are determined by comparing Forwards to Forwards and Defensemen to Defensemen.
  • Bursts/mi are calculated from NHL Edge Data are are speed bursts above 20mpg per mile skated. The NHL doesn't adjust for ice time so the players that skate more will naturally have more bursts over 20, or at least more opportunity to have more. The NHL also does not provide ice time in the context of NHL Edge Statistics, however, it does provide distance skated. By adjusting for distance skated it will have a similar effect to adjusting for ice time but also adjust for situationional effect. For example, Players don't typically skate as much on the PK, mostly within the defensive zone, so don't get significant opportunity in that ice time to get speed bursts above 20mph. Adjusting with miles skates would account for this better than adjusting with ice time.
  • Sh%AE is Shooting Percentage above Expected (Sh% - xSh%) and is an indicator of how good a shooter is at converting chances into goals.
  • Relative statistics are On Ice - Off Ice statistics and can be an indicator of whether the player makes his teammates better or worse.
  • All data is 5v5 except Shooting Hardest and Average, Skating Top Speed and Bursts/mi which are all situations, ES Average which is even strength (NHL doesn't give a specific definition).
Data Sources
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5v5 Individual Stats

Season Team(s) GP TOI G/60 A/60 Pts/60 xG/60 GAE/60 Sh% xSh% Sh%AE %SA Rush %SA Reb.
2015-16 OTT 82 1708:15 0.46 1.05 1.51 0.28 0.18 7.83 4.79 3.04 2.37 1.98
2016-17 OTT 77 1480:15 0.45 0.97 1.42 0.27 0.18 7.69 4.63 3.06 1.80 2.70
2017-18 OTT 71 1423:05 0.17 1.31 1.48 0.24 -0.07 2.90 4.09 -1.19 2.39 0.96
2018-19 SJS 53 950:08 0.06 1.39 1.45 0.30 -0.24 0.80 3.81 -3.01 1.60 0.53
2019-20 SJS 56 960:10 0.25 1.25 1.50 0.20 0.05 4.82 3.92 0.90 1.79 2.68
2020-21 SJS 52 930:13 0.19 0.45 0.65 0.25 -0.06 3.95 5.08 -1.14 0.89 2.68
2021-22 SJS 50 878:58 0.48 0.89 1.37 0.30 0.18 8.33 5.21 3.12 2.42 2.42
2022-23 SJS 82 1647:34 0.58 1.71 2.29 0.29 0.29 10.60 5.24 5.35 0.00 3.94
2023-24 PIT 82 1582:52 0.23 0.83 1.06 0.23 0.00 3.82 3.80 0.02 0.44 2.64
2024-25 PIT 82 1523:28 0.24 0.98 1.22 0.24 -0.01 4.35 4.48 -0.14 0.46 3.21
2025-26 PIT 9 148:24 0.00 0.81 0.81 0.23 -0.23 0.00 7.05 -7.05 0.00 11.76

5v5 On Ice Stats

Season Team(s) GP TOI SAF/60 GF/60 xGF/60 SAA/60 GA/60 xGA/60 GF% xGF% xGF Rel xGA Rel xGF% Rel
2015-16 OTT 82 1708:15 41.38 2.60 2.39 40.78 2.70 2.45 49.01 49.40 0.40 -0.09 5.49
2016-17 OTT 77 1480:15 42.97 2.43 2.41 42.11 2.19 2.36 52.63 50.48 0.37 0.01 4.05
2017-18 OTT 71 1423:05 43.68 2.53 2.30 42.92 3.42 2.47 42.55 48.17 0.19 -0.15 3.55
2018-19 SJS 53 950:08 52.79 3.41 3.26 36.18 2.72 2.28 55.67 58.81 0.69 -0.09 6.80
2019-20 SJS 56 960:10 42.81 2.56 2.68 38.06 2.69 2.52 48.81 51.53 0.36 0.06 2.97
2020-21 SJS 52 930:13 40.89 2.26 2.64 45.34 3.03 2.96 42.68 47.10 0.13 0.55 -3.90
2021-22 SJS 50 878:58 45.74 2.53 2.80 44.58 2.53 2.80 50.00 50.00 0.62 0.42 2.16
2022-23 SJS 82 1647:34 46.03 3.46 3.07 41.48 3.42 2.73 50.26 52.91 0.62 -0.02 5.85
2023-24 PIT 82 1582:52 49.39 2.73 2.99 43.78 2.62 2.64 51.06 53.11 0.50 -0.03 4.92
2024-25 PIT 82 1523:28 45.41 2.91 2.72 44.90 3.15 2.78 48.05 49.50 0.43 0.39 0.52
2025-26 PIT 9 148:24 38.01 2.83 2.51 43.67 2.02 2.57 58.33 49.44 -0.05 -0.09 0.37

NHL Edge Stats

Skating Shooting Zone Time
Season GP Top Speed Bursts>20/mi Avg. Speed ES Avg. Speed Top Speed Avg. Speed %Long Range %Mid Range %High Danger ES DZ% ES NZ% ES OZ%
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Legend

Percentile 0-25 Percentile 25-50 Percentile 50-75 Percentile 75-100
Forwards are compared with forwards and Defensemen are are compared with Defensemen.

5v5 Defense Pairs

Season
Season Teammate Team TOI GF/60 GA/60 GF% xGF/60 xGA/60 xGF% xGF Rel xGA Rel xGF% Rel
This table is for Basic and Premium subscribers only. To view please login to and/or subscribe to one of our subscription plans. 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 2030-31 2031-32 2032-33 2033-34 2034-35

Glossary

Type Statistic Definition
IndividualG/60Goals Against per 60 minutes.
IndividualA/60Assists per 60 minutes.
IndividualPts/60Points per 60 minutes.
IndividualxG/60Expected Goals per 60 minutes.
IndividualGAE/60Goals Above Expected (G/60 - xG/60).
IndividualSh%Shooting Percentage.
IndividualxSh%Expected Shooting Percentage.
IndividualSh%AEShooting percentage above expected (Sh% - xSh%).
Individual%SA RushPercentage of shot attempts determined to be on the rush.
Individual%SA Reb.Percentage of shot attempts determined to be from rebounds.
On IceSAF/60Shot Attempts For per 60 minutes.
On IceGF/60Goals For per 60 minutes.
On IcexGF/60Expected Goals For per 60 minutes.
On IceSAA/60Shot Attempts Against per 60 minutes (lower is better).
On IceGA/60Goals Against per 60 minutes (lower is better).
On IcexGA/60Expected Goals Against per 60 minutes (lower is better).
On IceGF%Goals For Percentage = Goals For / (Goals For + Goals Against)
On IcexGF%Expected Goals For Percentage = Expected Goals For / (Expected Goals For + Expected Goals Against)
On IcexGF RelxGF/60 when On Ice - xGF/60 when not On Ice.
On IcexGA RelxGA/60 when On Ice - xGA/60 when not On Ice (lower is better).
On IcexGF% RelxGF% when On Ice - xGF% when not On Ice.
Individual and On-Ice stats from Puckalytics.com (starting in 2015-16). NHL Edge Stats from edge.nhl.com (starting in 2021-22). Edge statistic definitions can be found at the Edge Stats Glossary.

News and Opinions

Current Contract

Standard Contract (UFA) ( )  (0 ratings)

Season Age* Clause Cap Hit AAV Perf. Bonus Sign. Bonus Salary Compensation Minors Salary Status
2019-20 29 NMC $11,500,000 $11,500,000 - $11,000,000 $3,500,000 $14,500,000 $14,500,000 UFA
2020-21 30 NMC $11,500,000 $11,500,000 - $10,000,000 $2,000,000 $12,000,000 $12,000,000 UFA
2021-22 31 NMC $11,500,000 $11,500,000 - $9,000,000 $5,500,000 $14,500,000 $14,500,000 UFA
2022-23 32 NMC $11,500,000 $11,500,000 - $10,000,000 $2,000,000 $12,000,000 $12,000,000 UFA
2023-24 33 NMC $11,500,000 $11,500,000 - $1,000,000 $10,500,000 $11,500,000 $11,500,000 UFA
2024-25 34 NMC $11,500,000 $11,500,000 - $1,000,000 $10,000,000 $11,000,000 $11,000,000 UFA
2025-26 35 NMC $11,500,000 $11,500,000 - $5,000,000 $4,000,000 $9,000,000 $9,000,000 UFA
2026-27 36 NMC $11,500,000 $11,500,000 - $6,000,000 $1,500,000 $7,500,000 $7,500,000 UFA
Total - $53,000,000 $39,000,000 $92,000,000 $92,000,000
Signed: June 17, 2019
Team: San Jose Sharks
Exp. Status: UFA
Cap %: 14.11
Retained Salary: San Jose Sharks retained 13.0% of total salary on August 6, 2023

Previous Contracts (show) (hide)

Standard Contract (RFA) ( )  (0 ratings)

Season Age* Clause Cap Hit AAV Perf. Bonus Sign. Bonus Salary Compensation Minors Salary Status
2012-13 22 $6,500,000 $6,500,000 - $1,000,000 $4,000,000 $5,000,000 $5,000,000 RFA
2013-14 23 $6,500,000 $6,500,000 - - $5,500,000 $5,500,000 $5,500,000 RFA
2014-15 24 $6,500,000 $6,500,000 - - $6,500,000 $6,500,000 $6,500,000 RFA-arb
2015-16 25 $6,500,000 $6,500,000 - - $7,000,000 $7,000,000 $7,000,000 RFA-arb
2016-17 26 $6,500,000 $6,500,000 - - $7,000,000 $7,000,000 $7,000,000 RFA-arb
2017-18 27 M-NTC $6,500,000 $6,500,000 - - $7,000,000 $7,000,000 $7,000,000 UFA
2018-19 28 M-NTC $6,500,000 $6,500,000 - - $7,500,000 $7,500,000 $7,500,000 UFA
Total - $1,000,000 $44,500,000 $45,500,000 $45,500,000
Signed: June 19, 2012
Team: Ottawa Senators
Exp. Status: UFA
Cap %: 10.83
Clause: In 2017-18 and 2018-19 player has a 10 team no trade list.

Entry Level Contract ( )  (0 ratings)

Season Age* Clause Cap Hit AAV Perf. Bonus Sign. Bonus Salary Compensation Minors Salary Status
2009-10 19 $875,000 $1,300,000 $425,000 $87,500 $787,500 $875,000 $65,000 ELC
2010-11 20 $875,000 $1,300,000 $425,000 $87,500 $787,500 $875,000 $65,000 ELC
2011-12 21 $875,000 $1,300,000 $425,000 $87,500 $787,500 $875,000 $65,000 ELC
Total $1,275,000 $262,500 $2,362,500 $2,625,000 $195,000
Signed: May 7, 2009
Team: Ottawa Senators
Exp. Status: RFA

Career Statistics

Regular Season Playoffs
Season League Team GP G A Pts +/- PIM Shots Sh% TOI/G GP G A Pts +/- PIM Shots Sh% TOI/G
2005-06 J20 Div.2 Boro/Vetlanda J20 4 1 5 6 18
2006-07 Swe-Jr. Sodertalje Jr. 10 2 8 10 8
2006-07 Swe-U18 Sodertalje U18 2 0 1 1 33
2007-08 Sweden Frolunda 7 1 0 1 6
2007-08 Swe-Jr. Frolunda Jr. 38 13 24 37 68 5 1 1 4 0.0
2007-08 Swe-U18 Frolunda U18 3 1 2 3 2 2 1 1 10 0.0
2008-09 Sweden-2 Boras 7 0 1 1 14
2008-09 WJC-A Sweden 6 2 7 9
2008-09 Swe-Jr. Frolunda Jr. 1 0 2 2 2
2008-09 Sweden Frolunda 45 5 5 10 10 11 1 2 3 24
2009-10 AHL Binghamton 12 0 11 11 22
2009-10 WC-A Sweden 9 1 3 4 2
2009-10 NHL Ottawa Senators 60 5 21 26 -5 24 112 4.5 20:07 6 1 5 6 -4 4 12 8.3 25:52
2010-11 NHL Ottawa Senators 75 13 32 45 -30 50 182 7.1 23:31
2011-12 WC-A Sweden 8 3 4 7 +3 2
2011-12 NHL Ottawa Senators 81 19 59 78 +16 42 261 7.3 25:19 7 1 1 4 31 3.2 25:22
2012-13 Finland Jokerit 30 9 25 34 +12 24
2012-13 NHL Ottawa Senators 17 6 8 14 +8 8 79 7.6 27:09 10 1 7 8 6 28 3.6 26:44
2013-14 NHL Ottawa Senators 82 20 54 74 -15 36 257 7.8 27:04
2013-14 Olympics Sweden 6 4 4 8 +5 20
2014-15 NHL Ottawa Senators 82 21 45 66 +7 42 292 7.2 27:15 6 1 3 4 -2 2 17 5.9 28:58
2015-16 NHL Ottawa Senators 82 16 66 82 -2 50 248 6.4 28:58
2016-17 WCup Sweden 4 1 3 4 +2 2
2016-17 NHL Ottawa Senators 77 17 54 71 +10 28 218 7.8 26:50 19 2 16 18 +13 10 53 3.8 28:08
2017-18 NHL Ottawa Senators 71 9 53 62 -25 36 196 4.6 26:44
2018-19 NHL San Jose Sharks 53 3 42 45 +6 22 169 1.8 24:29 19 2 14 16 -3 8 51 3.9 24:45
2019-20 NHL San Jose Sharks 56 6 34 40 -15 16 120 5.0 24:31
2020-21 NHL San Jose Sharks 52 8 14 22 -18 18 110 7.3 23:36
2021-22 NHL San Jose Sharks 50 10 25 35 -14 14 117 8.5 23:28
2022-23 NHL San Jose Sharks 82 25 76 101 -26 36 209 12.0 25:37
2023-24 NHL Pittsburgh Penguins 82 11 45 56 +4 44 213 5.2 24:16
2023-24 WC Sweden 10 6 5 11 +9
2024-25 NHL Pittsburgh Penguins 82 11 42 53 -24 20 191 5.8 23:14
2024-25 4 Nations Sweden 3 1 2 3 +2 2 5 20.0 54:26
2025-26 NHL Pittsburgh Penguins 9 0 6 6 +4 4 12 0.0 21:20
NHL Career 1093 200 676 876 -119 490 2986 6.7 25:12 67 8 45 53 +4 34 192 4.2 26:33