Karlsson, 32, currently leads all NHL defensemen in goals (13), assists (40), points (53), even-strength goals (11), and among all NHL skaters, ranks first in even-strength points (39), is tied for first in assists and tied for fourth in points. He reached the 50-point threshold on Dec. 29 vs. Philadelphia, achieving the feat in the team's 37th game of the season becoming the first defenseman this season to reach the mark, and fifth time he has been the first blueliner to reach 50 points (2011-12, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16). His 50 points in an NHL team's first 37 games is the fastest since Al MacInnis did so in the 1990-91 season (35 games).
This year, among several notable achievements, Karlsson has set the franchise record for most consecutive games with an assist and point, achieving an assist in 13 straight games from Dec. 3, 2022-Jan. 1, 2023, recording 19 points (two goals, 17 assists), and has not gone more than two games (twice) this season without recording at least a point. He has been a factor on 53 of San Jose's 119 goals this season (44.5%), which is the highest single-season percentage in the NHL's modern era by a defenseman, and also became the first defenseman in NHL history to score at least 10 goals and 10 assists in 15 or fewer games to start a season.
The two-time Norris Trophy defenseman registered his 700th career point on Dec. 18 vs. Arizona in his 871st game, to become the 12th fastest defenseman to reach 700 points in a career. Karlsson currently has recorded 713 points (166 goals, 547 assists) in 877 games. Since Karlsson debuted in 2009-10, he leads all defensemen in assists and points, being the only blueliner to have at least 500 assists and 700 points in that span.
Internationally, Karlsson has represented Sweden in the 2014 Winter Olympics where he was named the tournament's best defenseman and helped win a Silver Medal. He has also appeared in two World Championships (2010, 2012), earning a Bronze Medal in 2010 and a Bronze Medal in the 2009 World Junior Championships.
The 6-foot, 190-pound native of Landsbro, Sweden was selected by Ottawa in the 2008 NHL Draft (first round, 15th overall).
