Erik Karlsson
1 805 590
PROFILE ANALYTICS
Jump to
Section
Erik Karlsson Facts
- Date of Birth
- May 31, 1990
- Age
- 36
- Place of Birth
- Landsbro, SWE
- Nation
- Sweden
- Youth Team
- Boro-Vetlanda HC
- Position
- D
- Height
- 182 cm / 6'0"
- Weight
- 86 kg / 190 lbs
- Shoots
- R
- Contract
- 26/27
- Player Type
- Offensive DefensemanPlaymakerPP Specialist
- Cap Hit
- Powered by
- NHL Rights
Pittsburgh Penguins / Signed- Agency
- Premium
- Highlights
1
1
1
1
1
2.png)
3
5
1
1
1
1.png)
3
1
1
1
1
Karlsson is known for his offensive ability. He is a defenseman blessed with excellent hockey sense, confidence and coolness. Everything looks so easy and natural when Karlsson has the puck under control in the offensive zone. He is a terrific passer and an outstanding push rusher.
The knock on Karlsson is his defensive game and size. However, his all-world skating and anticipation allows him to be alright defensively.
The fact that Karlsson likes to get involved physically and can deliver rather good hits is a big plus. Now that he's added a considerate amount of bulk, his physical play is more effective. - Elite Prospects (2015)
Father: Jonas Karlsson
Brother: Pelle Karlsson
Uncle: Tomas Nord
Cousins: Jonas Nord & Anders Nord
The knock on Karlsson is his defensive game and size. However, his all-world skating and anticipation allows him to be alright defensively.
The fact that Karlsson likes to get involved physically and can deliver rather good hits is a big plus. Now that he's added a considerate amount of bulk, his physical play is more effective. - Elite Prospects (2015)
Father: Jonas Karlsson
Brother: Pelle Karlsson
Uncle: Tomas Nord
Cousins: Jonas Nord & Anders Nord
There are definitely some things you can implement into your game, but there is no other Erik Karlsson on planet Earth
—Chris Wideman (Ottawa) 2017
I’d challenge anyone in this league to say that there was a more spectacular player or even defenceman
—Pierre Dorion (Ottawa GM) 2017
This is a guy you’re going to look at for the next 50 years and go 'wow’. This is going to be one of the greats
—Guy Boucher (Ottawa Coach) 2017
Not up to date?
Erik Karlsson Statistics
Select...
Filter Leagues
2026-2027 NHL stats powered by 
Erik Karlsson Tournament Statistics
Select...
Filter Leagues
| S | Team | League | GP | G | A | TP | PIM | +/- | POST | GP | G | A | TP | PIM | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06-07 |  Småland | TV-Pucken | 8 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 20 | - | |||||||
| 07-08 | Sweden U18 | Ivan Hlinka Memorial | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 0 |
Erik Karlsson Game Log
2025-2026
All Opponents
Filter Leagues
| Date | Team | Opp | Score | G | A | TP | PIM | +/- | SOG | PPG | SHG | TOI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 NHL | ||||||||||||
| Wed 29/04 |  | @ | ||||||||||
| Mon 27/04 | | vs | ||||||||||
| Sun 26/04 | | @ | ||||||||||
| Wed 22/04 | | @ | ||||||||||
| Mon 20/04 | | vs | ||||||||||
Paid Feature
Explore plansErik Karlsson Career Totals
Select...
Filter Postseason
| League | Years | GP | G | A | TP | PPG | PIM | +/- | Years | GP | G | A | TP | PPG | PIM | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AHL | 1 | 12 | 0 | 11 | 11 | 0.92 | 22 | 0 | 0 | |||||||
| Elitserien (SHL) | 2 | 52 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 0.21 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 17 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0.18 | 24 | 2 |
| HockeyAllsvenskan | 1 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.14 | 14 | -4 | 0 | |||||||
 International | 7 | 46 | 15 | 23 | 38 | 0.83 | 8 | 25 | 0 | |||||||
| International-Jr | 3 | 37 | 6 | 23 | 29 | 0.78 | 46 | - | 0 | |||||||
| Ivan Hlinka Memorial (Hlinka Gretzky Cup) | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.25 | 8 | 0 | 0 | |||||||
| J18 Allsvenskan (U18 Nationell) | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0.67 | 35 | -1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.50 | 10 | -2 |
| J18 Elit (U18 Region) | 2 | 2* | 1* | 1* | 2* | 1.00* | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||
| J20 Div.1 (U20 Div.1) | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0 | |||||||
| J20 Div.2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 1.50 | 18 | - | 0 | |||||||
| J20 SuperElit (U20 Nationell) | 3 | 49 | 15 | 34 | 49 | 1.00 | 78 | 23 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.20 | 4 | 3 |
| NHL | 18 | 1159 | 215 | 721 | 936 | 0.81 | 508 | -115 | 7 | 73 | 9 | 47 | 56 | 0.77 | 44 | 0 |
| NHL 4 Nations | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1.00 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |||||||
| OG | 2 | 11 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 1.09 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |||||||
 SM-liiga (Liiga) | 1 | 30 | 9 | 25 | 34 | 1.13 | 24 | 12 | 0 | |||||||
| TV-Pucken | 1 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 1.38 | 20 | - | 0 | |||||||
| WC | 3 | 27 | 10 | 12 | 22 | 0.81 | 4 | 14 | 0 | |||||||
| WCup | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1.00 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |||||||
| WJC-18 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 1.17 | 4 | 8 | 0 | |||||||
| WJC-20 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 1.50 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
* Some data is missing to provide a correct summary.
Erik Karlsson Hockey Connections
Position
Nationality
Team
Status
No Data Found
Erik Karlsson Career Highlights
| Season | Awards by Season |
|---|---|
| 2006-2007 | |
| 2007-2008 |
|
| 2008-2009 | |
| 2009-2010 | |
| 2010-2011 | |
| 2011-2012 | |
| 2012-2013 | |
| 2013-2014 | |
| 2014-2015 | |
| 2015-2016 | |
| 2016-2017 | |
| 2017-2018 | |
| 2018-2019 | |
| 2022-2023 | |
| 2023-2024 |
Stories
Insights and analysis from EP Editorial team
Transactions
08/06/2023
06/17/2019
extension
09/13/2018
09/26/2012
confirmed
06/19/2012
extension
05/07/2009
confirmed
Erik Karlsson Biography and Trivia
Drafted 2009, 2 #32 by Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in the KHL Draft
Drafted 2008, 2 #61 by Mississauga St. Michael's Majors in the CHL Import Draft
Cult/Star player for Boro/Vetlanda HC
Cult/Star player for Frölunda HC
Cult/Star player for Frölunda HC U20
Cult/Star player for Jokerit
Cult/Star player for Ottawa Senators
Cult/Star player for Pittsburgh Penguins
Cult/Star player for San Jose Sharks
Cult/Star player for Sweden
- 2012-09-26 • Signed to a lockout contract by Jokerit | Full story
- 2012-06-19 • Re-signed to a seven-year contract by the Ottawa Senators | $45,500,000 | Full story
- 2009-11-27 • Recalled by the Ottawa Senators from the Binghamton Senators | Full story
- 2009-10-27 • Assigned to the Binghamton Senators by the Ottawa Senators | Full story
- 2009-05-07 • Signed to a three-year entry-level contract by the Ottawa Senators | $3,900,000 | Full story
- 2008-08-25 • Signed to a one-year pro contract by Frölunda HC
Other memorable dates
- 2014-10-02 • Named Captain by the Ottawa Senators
- 2012-06-20 • Announced as the winner of the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL's best defenceman
- 2009-12-19 • Scored 1st career NHL goal (vs. Minnesota vs. Niklas Bäckström)
- 2009-10-03 • Made NHL debut (at NY Rangers; 1 assist, 17:41 TOI, -1, 5 SOG)
- 2008-03-01 • Scored 1st career Elitserien goal (vs. HV71 vs. Stefan Liv)
- 2008-03-01 • Made Elitserien debut (vs HV71; 1 goal GWG, 2 SOG, 8:48 TOI)
- 2007-12-28 • Dressed for 1st career Elitserien game (logged no ice time)
2009 Elite Prospects Scouting Report (archived)
Karlsson is a very offensive minded defenseman. He is blessed with excellent hockey sense, confidence and coolness. Everything looks so easy and natural when Karlsson has the puck under control in the offensive zone. He is a true power play specialist that usually gets the puck on net and also delivers very good passes. Furthermore, he is mobile and a capable skater with good agility and technical skills.
The knock on Karlsson is his defensive game and size. While he is very cool and confident in the offensive zone, he sometimes chooses difficult solutions in the defensive end. He should play easier and be closer on his opponent. While he Karlsson likely will not be much taller, he should definitely add more strength and muscles. The fact that Karlsson likes to get involved physically and can deliver rather good hits is a big plus. With added strength, his physical play would be much more effective.