Erik Karlsson does it again

I thought this would be the year he would finally look like prime Karlsson again.

But every game I watch he ranges from average to mediocre. I understand injuries etc. etc., but honestly I think the dude just doesn't give a shit. He has his big contract, i'm sure he'd look a lot better if the Sharks were actually a good team, but I don't think he cares enough to help dig them out of the hole they're in.

 

Feel bad for him, he's probably depressed since his family tragedy happened. Got to love the sport to play well.

 

You'd think for $92,000,000 he wouldn't be completely chickenshit about taking a hit to make a play. Worst contract in the league.

 

Generational. If you look closely enough you can see how he's retained his defensive abilities from the time he was on the Sens.

 

Like the poster said above you, a family tragedy especially the one he faced can take serious toll on someone

 

This so hard to watch. He used to be so good. I hope he finds his game again and some peace.

 

Definitely. In general I hate the argument that once a guy gets paid he stops trying- I think most players have professional pride and it’s more age that gets them- but with Karlsson I think he realizes SJ is sunk, his contract is part of that- and now he just has to show up. If they had a decent goalie and young potential maybe he’d care, but as is- he seems as nonchalant about sucking as is possible.

 

That's nice to see at the start of a super long giant contract haha.

 

Also, his slow reaction to the mistake and what he does after the mistake...like people have said before
seems like he doesn't care anymore.

 

I know it's possible he's got family stuff weighing down on him. However Karlsson was never known to be good at defense so I don't think that's the case. He was making a bunch of turnovers and errors in the D zone as a Sen.

 

I remember the days when he would get the puck in that exact spot and it would be at the opposite blue line before the forecheckers knew what happened.

How the mighty have fallen

 

$19.5M on the backline between him and burns for another 5 years

you love to see it

 

Sure when you're touching the puck so much times in the game and the team is literally relying on you for everything you're gonna turn it over sometimes.

But when he was a Senator there's wasn't ever a time you didn't want the puck on his stick.

Someone mentioned that Doughty is struggling because he's trying to do too much on bad teams, Karlsson did too much and thrived, and carried bad teams to winning records. It's dishonest to say Karlsson was always like this.

 

I’m not insensitive to his family loss but 92 million buys a lot of counseling. If that’s what truly is ailing him he should take time off. I am CERTAIN the Sharks would happily give him the time. I just don’t think that’s it. The writing was on the wall long before his personal issues.

 

26.5 with Vlasic.

 

I think 40% of it is mental but after that lower body injury, he’s lost at least one step if not 2 speed wise and he’s always been a player who’s whole game revolves around that.

After that, his tragedy and the subsequent media storm, allegations and whatever happened behind the scenes probably didn’t help.

fastforward to today where he’s not the player he once was and probably knows it, hurting his confidence and swagger which was always sky high before this. Not just that but he plays on a horrible team where he’s no longer a star or even really in the spotlight.

i feel for him. There was a brief period where he was the best and if he still held that form, he’d be generational.

his speed helped cover a lot of his mistakes as well. He’s became even softer possibly due to fear of being injured. It’s sad man.. biggest drop I’ve seen in anyone that I can remember.

 

Doughty had 3 assists tonight. He’s not struggling as much as some would have you believe.

 

Sharks have so many big long term contract to old guys when you look at them. Pretty brutal looking.

 

Well I mean in general in the last 3 years, since his team became bad. Though I've only watched 2 Kings game this year, he does look better.

 

That signing was the nail in the coffin for the Sharks, they have so many bad contracts.

 

I was so sure he was going to bounce back this year, but he might be done.

It’s a damn shame. The guy was a great talent in his prime, wish it would’ve lasted longer.

 

Was glad we lost the EK trade sweepstakes then, especially glad now.

 

Karlsson is primary example of why you don't dish out massive deals to offensive d-men who have no idea how to play defense. I hope Canucks front office is paying attention. Quinn Hughes is headed in the same direction.

 

Still better than Jack Johnson.