Blades of Teal
Fansided

San Jose Sharks Report Cards: The Dynamic Defense

By Michael Gutnick

SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 31: An overhead view of the San Jose Sharks bench as they face the Calgary Flames at SAP Center on March 31, 2019 in San Jose, California (Photo by Brandon Magnus/NHLI via Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 31: An overhead view of the San Jose Sharks bench as they face the Calgary Flames at SAP Center on March 31, 2019 in San Jose, California (Photo by Brandon Magnus/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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San Jose Sharks blueliner Erik Karlsson fires a wrist shot vs the Blues
SAN JOSE, CA – MAY 11: Erik Karlsson #65 of the San Jose Sharks takes a shot on goal against the St. Louis Blues in Game One of the Western Conference Final during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 11, 2019 in San Jose, California (Photo by Brandon Magnus/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Erik Karlsson

Grade: B

When the Sharks acquired Erik Karlsson in the summer, the buzz around SAP Center and the Silicon Valley was electric.

Karlsson’s precision and skill, skating with swagger from end to end really made the two-time Norris Trophy winner stand out.

Unfortunately, the Sharks did not get the completely healthy version of the six-time All-Star. The groin injury he sustained kept Karlsson from showing the Norris-type defenseman he could be capable of benefiting the Sharks defense for the entire duration of the season.

As the number of hits increased and his time on ice shifted near 25 minutes per game, his plethora of options and acceleration declined.

It took Karlsson 20 games to score his first goal in a teal sweater, amassing a total of three goals and 42 assists in 53 regular season games.

When the Sharks season was on the line in the postseason, he appeared to have recovered from his soreness during the first two rounds against the Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche.

However, the Blues immediately targeted him right out of the gate in the Western Conference Finals as he seemed to re-aggravate his groin injury. Despite the tenderness, Karlsson pushed through the playoffs, scoring two goals and the game-winner in the wild overtime sequence of Game 3.

If only Karlsson’s health was 100%, the Sharks may still have been in contention for the Stanley Cup. Instead, Karlsson’s future with the Sharks is unclear after undergoing successful surgery this week. Only time will tell whether the Sharks will extend an offer to the unrestricted free agent.

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