Erik Karlsson's first season with the Pittsburgh Penguins didn't go as planned.

Year one of Erik Karlsson's tenure with the Pittsburgh Penguins is in the books, and many fans are divided on whether or not it was a success. With the trade officially completed and the Penguins 2024 first-round pick heading to San Jose, let's look at Karlsson's debut season in Pittsburgh.

The Penguins saw three very different versions of Karlsson throughout this season. Early on, the veteran defenseman was not his typical self in the offensive zone but was more defensively conscious than expected as he attempted to settle into his new team.

Once settled, his defensive performance faded as his offense began to take off. This was the version of Karlsson many expected to see when the Penguins acquired him. However, Karlsson found a new level late in the season as the Penguins playoff hunt turned desperate.

Karlsson scored ten points (3G-7A) in the final eight games and had 28 shots on goal. While his defense was never perfect, Karlsson became much more aggressive in the defensive zone. He utilized his speed to take space away from opposing forwards, gain possession, and transition to offense.

Unfortunately, that aggressiveness also led to an uptick in minor penalties. Nearly a quarter of Karlsson's penalty minutes this season were from the final nine games.

Despite his overall numbers falling short of expectations, Karlsson was still one of the top offensive defensemen in the NHL. He finished in the top ten among defensemen in ice time, shots on goal, and rebounds created. He also ranked 13th in points.

It's no secret that the Penguins will need more than 56 points from Karlsson next season, but if he can find that final version more consistently, the Penguins will have a much better chance at returning to the playoffs in 2025.

It wasn't a perfect debut, but the good far exceeded the bad for the future Hall of Fame defenseman.

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