Docs Menu

Erik Karlsson

Born:May 31, 1990Draft:2008 Senators, 15th Overall
Hometown:Landsbro, SWEPosition:D
Known For:Shoots:Right
National Team:SwedenCurrent Team:Pittsburgh Penguins

Erik Sven Gunnar Karlsson (born 31 May 1990) is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenseman for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). Karlsson was drafted in the first round, 15th overall, by the Ottawa Senators at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, with whom he spent his first nine NHL seasons. Karlsson is a two-time winner of the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s best defenseman, winning the award in 2012 and 2015.

Erik Karlsson Pittsburgh Penguins
Erik Karlsson, Pittsburgh Penguins (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Erik Karlsson Statistics

Trade Tracker

DateTraded FromTraded WithTraded ToTraded For
September 13, 2018Ottawa SenatorsFrancis PerronSan Jose SharksFirst-Round Pick
(Tim Stutzle)
Rudolfs Balcers
Dylan Demelo
Joshua Norris
Chris Tierney
August 6, 2023San Jose SharksDillon Hamaliuk
Third-Round Pick
(2026)
Pittsburgh PenguinsJan Rutta
Mikael Granlund
Mike Hoffman
First-Round Pick
(2024)

Deeper Dive

Achievements

  • TV-Pucken Best Plus/Minus (+12) — 2006-07
  • TV-Pucken Bronze Medal — 2006-07
  • TV-Pucken Most Assists by Defenseman (7) — 2006-07
  • TV-Pucken Most Points by Defenseman (11) — 2006-07
  • Hlinka Memorial Gold Medal — 2007-08
  • J20 SuperElit (Overall) Most Assists by Defenseman (24) — 2007-08
  • J20 Nationell (Overall) Most Assists by U18 Player (24) — 2007-08
  • J20 SuperElit (Overall) Most Goals by Defenseman (13) — 2007-08
  • J20 SuperElit (Overall) Most Points by Defenseman (37) — 2007-08
  • J20 SuperElit (South) Most Assists by Defenseman (17) — 2007-08
  • J20 SuperElit (South) Most Goals by Defenseman (8) — 2007-08
  • J20 SuperElit (South) Most Points by Defenseman (25) — 2007-08
  • J20 SuperElit (Top) Most Goals by Defenseman (5) — 2007-08
  • J20 SuperElit (Top) Most Points by Defenseman (12) — 2007-08
  • J20 SM Gold Medal — 2007-08
  • U18 WJC Best Defenseman — 2007-08
  • U18 WJC Best Plus/Minus (+8) — 2007-08
  • U18 WJC Most Assists by Defenseman (7) — 2007-08
  • U18 WJC Most Points by Defenseman (7) — 2007-08
  • U18 WJC Top 3 Player on Team — 2007-08
  • U20 WJC All-Star Team — 2008-09
  • U20 WJC Best Defenseman — 2008-09
  • U20 WJC Silver Medal — 2008-09
  • U20 WJC Top 3 Player on Team — 2008-09
  • World Championship Bronze Medal — 2009-10
  • NHL All-Star Game — 2010-11
  • NHL All-Star Game — 2011-12
  • NHL Best Defenseman (Norris Trophy) — 2011-12
  • NHL Best Swedish Player (Viking Award) — 2011-12
  • NHL First All-Star Team — 2011-12
  • NHL Most Assists by Defenseman (59) — 2011-12
  • NHL Most Goals by Defenseman (19) — 2011-12
  • NHL Most Points by Defenseman (78) — 2011-12
  • SM-liiga Most Assists by Defenseman (25) — 2012-13
  • SM-liiga Most Points by Defenseman (34) — 2012-13
  • SM-liiga Player of the Month (December) — 2012-13
  • NHL Most Points by Defenseman (74) — 2013-14
  • Olympic All-Star Team — 2013-14
  • Olympic Best Defenseman — 2013-14
  • Olympic Most Points (8) — 2013-14
  • Olympic Most Points by Defenseman (8) — 2013-14
  • Olympic Silver Medal — 2013-14
  • NHL Best Defenseman (Norris Trophy) — 2014-15
  • NHL First All-Star Team — 2014-15
  • NHL Most Points by Defenseman (66) — 2014-15
  • NHL All-Star Game — 2015-16
  • NHL Best Swedish Player (Viking Award) — 2015-16
  • NHL First All-Star Team — 2015-16
  • NHL Highest ATOI (28:58) — 2015-16
  • NHL Most Assists (66) — 2015-16
  • NHL Most Assists by Defenseman (66) — 2015-16
  • NHL Most Points by Defenseman (82) — 2015-16
  • Swedish Player of the Year (Guldpucken) — 2015-16
  • NHL All-Star Game — 2016-17
  • NHL First All-Star Team — 2016-17
  • NHL Playoffs Best Plus/Minus by Defenseman (+13) — 2016-17
  • NHL Playoffs Most Assists by Defenseman (16) — 2016-17
  • NHL Playoffs Most Points by Defenseman (18) — 2016-17
  • Swedish Player of the Year (Guldpucken) — 2016-17
  • NHL All-Star Game — 2017-18
  • NHL Best Swedish Player (Viking Award) — 2017-18
  • NHL All-Star Game — 2018-19
  • Alternate Captain (Senators) — 2013-14
  • Captain (Senators) — 2014-18
  • Alternate Captain (Sharks) — 2019-2023
  • NHL Best Defenseman (Norris Trophy) — 2022-23

Sources