When Kyle Dubas acquired Erik Karlsson, they wanted to maximize his potential as much as possible after he had just won the Norris Trophy.
Under Mike Sullivan and upon arriving in Pittsburgh, it was very obvious that Sullivan's outdated and boring coaching scheme took parts of Karlsson's game away from him that won him the Norris. It held him back in the production and defensive category, seemingly raising the question if acquiring him was even worth it.
We didn't see him utilize his offensive prowess and his ability to make offense happen as one of the best offensive defenseman in the NHL and history of the league. Sullivan forced him to become a perimeter and point shot defenseman and took away from everything he was allowed to do in San Jose.
This year under new and rookie Head Coach Dan Muse, we have finally seen Karlsson utilize his full capability and Muse has allowed Erik to play his style of game that he truly wants to play and he is hands down the Penguins best defenseman this year and it's not even close.
Game in and game out, Erik continues to show he is the true number one defenseman of this hockey club and that any rumours of him being traded in the off-season should stop because why would the Penguins do that?
Karlsson against Carolina on March 18, had two goals in the game and showed flashes of prime Erik Karlsson, dating back to his days in Ottawa. We saw him break Sebastian Aho's ankles then roof the puck top shelf on Freddy Andersen.
Karlsson is currently sitting at nine goals, 43 assists, 52 points in 63 games played this season as of March 19. His goals for percentage currently sits at 59.4 and points per 60 minutes this season at 1.32 are both highest in his tenure with the Penguins.
If he can continue to play at this pace and help this team make the playoffs, there has to be a big decision that can be made in the summer time.
Erik will be eligible for extension on July 1, this year and the question will more than likely come up this off-season, can and should the Penguins lock up their true number one defenseman to a bridge or long term deal that will allow him to stay with the organization and continue to help the team be competitive?