If it wasn’t for Erik Karlsson playing on a team with the NHL’s worst goal differential he would be owned in every single fantasy league. Karlsson is already a five category fantasy stud in just his second year in the league and his play as of late has been more than solid.
Analysis: Erik Karlsson’s minus 32 rating on the year is miserable, however, two other Ottawa denfeseman are minus 26 or worse, so he’s not alone on that front. Karlsson is just 20 years old and he could be one of the best fantasy defenseman in the NHL sooner than later. Karlsson is seventh among NHL defenseman with 11 goals, fourteenth in points with 38, eleventh in shots with 151 and twelfth in power play points with 20. To put it simply he’s on the fast track to top ten fantasy defenseman status if Ottawa can get their act together from the front office down. I couldn’t name seven defenseman that I’d want on my fantasy squad for the next ten years in front of Erik Karlsson, he’s just that special.
Projection: He’s going to continue to dominate every category with the exception of plus/minus and penalty minutes this year and going forward I see many 70 point seasons like Mike Green.