Erik Karlsson — Stats & Advanced Analytics
Erik Karlsson is an NHL defenseman for the Pittsburgh Penguins. In the 2025-26 season Erik Karlsson has 15 goals, 51 assists and 66 points in 75 games, worth 11.5 Goals Above Replacement.
Player Overview
One of the most prolific offensive defensemen of his era, Erik Karlsson continues to be a top-tier blueliner for the Pittsburgh Penguins at 36 years old. Over 17 seasons and 1159 career games, he has amassed an astounding 936 points, with 215 goals and 721 assists. His peak performance in 2011-12, marked by a remarkable 22.1 GAR, underscores his elite status.
This season, Karlsson remains highly productive, appearing in 75 games and recording 15 goals and 51 assists for 66 points. His current GAR of 11.5 indicates he is still an exceptionally impactful player. While his overall contributions are vast, his power-play offense notably adds +0.3 GAR, showcasing his role in quarterbacking the man advantage.
Player Profile
| Position | Defenseman |
|---|---|
| Team | Pittsburgh Penguins |
| Shoots / Catches | R |
| Height | 6'0" |
| Weight | 185 lb |
| Draft | 2008 — Round 1, Pick 15 — OTT |
2025-26 Season Stats
| GP | G | A | P | +/- | PIM | Shots | S% | TOI/GP | CF% | xG | Game Score | GAR | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75 | 15 | 51 | 66 | +8 | 22 | 176 | 8.5% | 23:35 | 56.0% | 11.7 | 0.7 | 11.5 | 2.06 |
GAR Component Breakdown
| Even-Strength Offense | Even-Strength Defense | Power-Play Offense | Shorthanded Defense |
|---|---|---|---|
| +7.3 | +0.1 | +3.9 | -0.3 |
League percentile rank: points 92th, GAR 96th, WAR 96th (100th = league leader).
Career by Season (Regular Season)
| Season | GP | G | A | P | GAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 75 | 15 | 51 | 66 | 11.5 |
| 2024-25 | 82 | 11 | 42 | 53 | 7.6 |
| 2023-24 | 82 | 11 | 45 | 56 | 8.0 |
| 2022-23 | 82 | 25 | 76 | 101 | 21.9 |
| 2021-22 | 50 | 10 | 25 | 35 | 8.3 |
| 2020-21 | 52 | 8 | 14 | 22 | 1.8 |
| 2019-20 | 56 | 6 | 34 | 40 | 6.8 |
| 2018-19 | 53 | 3 | 42 | 45 | 11.5 |
| 2017-18 | 71 | 9 | 53 | 62 | 10.9 |
| 2016-17 | 77 | 17 | 54 | 71 | 15.4 |
| 2015-16 | 82 | 16 | 66 | 82 | 18.6 |
| 2014-15 | 82 | 21 | 45 | 66 | 17.8 |
| 2013-14 | 82 | 20 | 54 | 74 | 17.8 |
| 2012-13 | 17 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 3.8 |
Analysis
In the 2025-26 season Erik Karlsson has been worth 11.5 Goals Above Replacement, which ranks in the 96th percentile leaguewide.
His value is driven primarily by even-strength offense (+7.3 GAR), while his shorthanded defense grades below replacement (-0.3).
Across 14 tracked seasons his GAR peaked at 21.9 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 11.5 Goals Above Replacement (GAR) in the 2025-26 season, in the 96th percentile of NHL players.
What is Erik Karlsson's WAR this season?
Erik Karlsson has been worth about 2.1 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) in the 2025-26 season, in the 96th percentile of NHL players. WAR converts GAR to wins at roughly 5.57 goals per win.
How many points does Erik Karlsson have this season?
Erik Karlsson has 15 goals and 51 assists for 66 points in 75 games this season.
Is Erik Karlsson a good defenseman?
Erik Karlsson ranks in the 96th percentile among NHL skaters by GAR (11.5) in the 2025-26 season.
What is Erik Karlsson's career GAR?
Across 14 NHL seasons tracked by Hockey Alchemy, Erik Karlsson has accumulated 161.7 career GAR and 787 points.
When was Erik Karlsson drafted?
Erik Karlsson was drafted in 2008 — Round 1, Pick 15 — OTT.