Erik Karlsson — Stats & Advanced Analytics
Erik Karlsson is an NHL defenseman for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
2026-27 So Far
Through Nov 4, Erik Karlsson has 16 points (3 goals, 13 assists) in 15 games, a 90-point pace over 84 games. He leads the Pittsburgh Penguins and is 39th in the NHL in scoring. 10 of the 16 came at even strength and 6 on the power play. He is averaging 23:26 of ice time a game.
Scouting Report
Erik Karlsson is a defenseman late in his career who provides a high level of impact, anchoring top-pair minutes. He drives the power play and produces points at a high rate, often shooting from everywhere and getting to dangerous scoring areas.
Despite his significant offensive contributions, Karlsson avoids physical play, rarely blocks shots, and gives up chances at even strength. These limitations mean he relies heavily on his offensive prowess.
Player Profile
| Position | Defenseman |
|---|---|
| Team | Pittsburgh Penguins |
| Shoots / Catches | R |
| Height | 6'0" |
| Weight | 185 lb |
| Born | May 31, 1990 (age 36) in Landsbro, Sweden |
| Draft | 2008 — Round 1, Pick 15 — OTT |
2026-27 Season Stats
| GP | G | A | P | +/- | PIM | Shots | S% | TOI/GP | CF% | xG | Game Score | GAR | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 3 | 13 | 16 | -2 | 4 | 27 | 11.1% | 23:26 | 51.7% | 2.5 | 0.5 | 2.1 | 0.37 |
GAR Component Breakdown
| Even-Strength Offense | Even-Strength Defense | Power-Play Offense | Shorthanded Defense |
|---|---|---|---|
| +1.7 | -0.2 | +1.1 | -0.0 |
League percentile rank: points 94th (100th = league leader).
2026-27 Scoring by Situation
| Situation | G | A | P |
|---|---|---|---|
| Even Strength | 1 | 9 | 10 |
| Power Play | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Shorthanded | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 3 | 13 | 16 |
Shooting & Rate Stats
| TOI/GP | Shots | S% | Primary A | Secondary A | P/GP | xG | GAR/60 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23:26 | 27 | 11.1% | 6 | 7 | 1.07 | 2.5 | -0.24 |
Career by Season (Regular Season)
| Season | GP | G | A | P | GAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | 15 | 3 | 13 | 16 | 2.1 |
| 2025-26 | 75 | 15 | 51 | 66 | 10.8 |
| 2024-25 | 82 | 11 | 42 | 53 | 8.0 |
| 2023-24 | 82 | 11 | 45 | 56 | 10.8 |
| 2022-23 | 82 | 25 | 76 | 101 | 21.6 |
| 2021-22 | 50 | 10 | 25 | 35 | 7.5 |
| 2020-21 | 52 | 8 | 14 | 22 | 2.9 |
| 2019-20 | 56 | 6 | 34 | 40 | 6.1 |
| 2018-19 | 53 | 3 | 42 | 45 | 9.5 |
| 2017-18 | 71 | 9 | 53 | 62 | 9.8 |
| 2016-17 | 77 | 17 | 54 | 71 | 15.2 |
| 2015-16 | 82 | 16 | 66 | 82 | 16.3 |
| 2014-15 | 82 | 21 | 45 | 66 | 17.1 |
| 2013-14 | 82 | 20 | 54 | 74 | 18.5 |
Analysis
In the 2026-27 season Erik Karlsson has been worth 2.1 Goals Above Replacement.
His value is driven primarily by even-strength offense (+1.7 GAR), while his even-strength defense grades below replacement (-0.2).
Across 14 tracked seasons his GAR peaked at 21.6 in 2022-23.
All figures are model outputs from Hockey Alchemy. Learn how the value metrics are built on the methodology page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Erik Karlsson's GAR this season?
Erik Karlsson has been worth 2.1 Goals Above Replacement (GAR) in the 2026-27 season.
What is Erik Karlsson's WAR this season?
Erik Karlsson has been worth about 0.4 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) in the 2026-27 season. WAR converts GAR to wins at roughly 5.57 goals per win.
How many points does Erik Karlsson have this season?
Erik Karlsson has 3 goals and 13 assists for 16 points in 15 games this season.
Is Erik Karlsson a good defenseman?
Erik Karlsson ranks by total value among NHL skaters by GAR (2.1) in the 2026-27 season.
What is Erik Karlsson's career GAR?
Across 14 NHL seasons tracked by Hockey Alchemy, Erik Karlsson has accumulated 156.4 career GAR and 789 points.
How tall is Erik Karlsson, and how much does he weigh?
Erik Karlsson is 6'0" tall and weighs 185 lb. Born May 31, 1990 (age 36) in Landsbro, Sweden.
How does Erik Karlsson score across situations in 2026-27?
Erik Karlsson has 10 even-strength points, 6 on the power play, and 0 shorthanded in 2026-27.
What is Erik Karlsson's shooting percentage in 2026-27?
Erik Karlsson has scored on 11.1% of 27 shots in 2026-27.