Jan 6, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; San Jose Sharks forward Melker Karlsson (68) celebrates his goal with teammates during the second period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Don’t worry San Jose Sharks fans, the Melk Man will be back in the Bay Area for the next couple of seasons.
According to a report from Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports in Montreal, the Sharks have signed Melker Karlsson to a two-year contract worth $3.25M total.
Melker Karlsson signed a 2 year contract / $3.250M total #sharks #tvasports
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) June 27, 2015
Karlsson was quite the find this past season for San Jose as he came out of nowhere to end up alongside Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski on the top line by the end of the year. In 53 games during his rookie campaign, Karlsson scored 13 goals and 11 assists.
He was one of San Jose’s top rookies last season, alongside Chris Tierney, and it will be interesting to see where new head coach Peter DeBoer decides to slot Karlsson in the lineup. Will he keep him up on the top line or will he drop him down a line or two? Will he remain on the wing or could he potentially be a third-line center?
General manager Doug Wilson did well to sign Karlsson who played well in his inaugural season. With Karlsson in the fold, the Sharks have more than $16M in cap space as they head into free agency next week.
Karlsson was originally signed to a one-year contract on May 30, 2014 after spending four years with Skelleftea AIK in Sweden.