He had 16 points (two goals, 14 assists) in 19 playoff games after he had 45 (three goals, 42 assists) in 53 games in the regular season. In his first season with the Sharks, Karlsson helped them reach the 2019 Western Conference Final, when they lost in six games to eventual Stanley Cup champion St. Though the Senators failed to qualify for the playoffs in 2017-18, Karlsson finished with 62 points (nine goals, 53 assists) despite missing 11 games because of injuries. Despite playing with an injured left foot that required offseason surgery, Karlsson led the Senators in postseason scoring with 18 points (two goals, 16 assists) in 19 Stanley Cup Playoff games, although Ottawa lost Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final to the Pittsburgh Penguins in double overtime. He had 71 points (17 goals, 54 assists) in 2016-17, when he was named an NHL First All-Star Team for the third straight season. It was the first time a defenseman finished in the top five in scoring since 1985-86, when Paul Coffey of the Edmonton Oilers was third with 138. Karlsson scored 20 goals in 2013-14 and 21 in 2014-15, when he won the Norris Trophy for the second time, then tied for fourth in the NHL with 82 points (16 goals, 66 assists) in 2015-16.

In doing so, Karlsson became the second Sweden-born player to win the Norris - following one of his idols, Nicklas Lidstrom - and the third player under 23 years old to win the award, joining Bobby Orr and Denis Potvin. Karlsson had a breakout season in 2011-12, his third in the NHL, finishing with 78 points (19 goals, 59 assists) and winning the Norris Trophy as the League's top defenseman, edging Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins and Shea Weber of the Predators. 18) and a third-round selection to the Nashville Predators to move up three spots and secure Karlsson. To make sure he got his man, general manager Bryan Murray traded Ottawa's first-round pick (No. The draft was held at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, with Senators captain and fellow Swede Daniel Alfredsson taking the stage to announce the selection. He was selected by the Senators in the first round (No. But he was back in uniform less than three months later and helped the Senators advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.īorn in Landsbro, Sweden, Karlsson is a product of the Frolunda HC system in his home country. 13, 2013, Karlsson sustained a 70 percent tear in his left Achilles tendon and required surgery. His speed, puck sense and passing are superb, and he's proven to be durable and tough despite playing heavy minutes on a nightly basis.įor example, On Feb. Karlsson has established himself not only as one of the NHL's best defensemen, but as one of its top players at any position. 13, 2018, are counting on him to be that kind of game-changer. The San Jose Sharks, who acquired him in a trade with the Ottawa Senators on Sept. Karlsson is the rare player who can change a game every time he steps onto the ice.

John karlson