Adding Erik Karlsson Benefits Multiple Current Penguins

Which Pittsburgh Penguins will see the biggest impact of Erik Karlsson joining the lineup?

The Pittsburgh Penguins added one of the most electric offensive defensemen the NHL has ever seen in Erik Karlsson.

Adding him to the roster obviously pushes the Penguins in the right direction in terms of winning, but will certain players seen more benefits than others?

Take a look at the core specifically; Karlsson’s presence should alleviate a ton of the pressure from Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang.

Malkin and Letang specifically, will be huge benefactors in Karlsson’s addition to the lineup.

Malkin will surely share a ton of ice time with Karlsson, and that should be a great opportunity to maintain a level of production that might not often be seen from a 37-year-old.

The 2022-23 season was solid offensively for Malkin, but there is so much more potential coming by adding Karlsson to the back end.

Both at 5-on-5 and on the power play, Karlsson will have plenty of chances to set up Malkin and vice versa.

As for Letang, his benefits of Karlsson are a little subtler and won’t be based on playing together; It’s their time on separate lines that will push Letang in a positive direction.

Adding Karlsson to the lineup means Letang will be playing fewer minutes than normal.

The minutes won’t take a huge dip, but Letang should see less ice, thus keeping him healthier and better equipped for the full season.

Marcus Pettersson will arguably see the biggest benefit from Karlsson, however, as those two will likely be linemates come puck drop.

2022-23 was a great season for Pettersson, but being paired up with an offensive mind like Karlsson will not only give a boost to his offensive numbers, but it’ll keep Pettersson more defensively stout.

When Pettersson played with Letang at times last year, he said he felt more responsible defensively.

It’s not the flashiest way of getting noticed in the NHL, but playing with Karlsson should show many just how good Pettersson is on the blue line.

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