Penguins' Erik Karlsson Named a Top Defender in the NHL

The Pittsburgh Penguins have arguably one of the best defensive groupings in the NHL, and a lot comes from their newest member.

The expectations aren’t through the roof for many on the Pittsburgh Penguins’ roster.

After missing the postseason and struggling as a group for most of the 2022-23 season, many Penguins won’t be found on top players lists.

While Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin placed in the top 20 centers, a newcomer is still revered as one of the best defensemen in the game.

Erik Karlson was ranked by NHL Network as the eighth best defenseman in the league, coming off of a 101-point campaign that earned him his third Norris Trophy.

New president and general manager Kyle Dubas had his sights on Karlsson from his days with the Toronto Maple Leafs and he finally got his wish with the Penguins.

Karlsson deserves every high praise he gets for his abilities, even if he isn’t exactly known as a standout defender.

No defenseman in the NHL has posted over 100 points in a single season since Brian Leech in 1991-92 and the feat has only been matched 14 other times.

Thanks to his scoring prowess, Karlsson pulls in ahead of some of the biggest names in defense.

Josh Morrissey (11), Jaccon Slavin (14), and even new teammate Kris Letang (not ranked in top 20) all landed behind Karlsson.

Letang ranked sixth on the same list heading into the 2022-23 season while Karlsson was held off completely.

In a way, Karlsson can be looked at as the best defenseman on the Penguins.

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