By traditional numbers, Melker Karlsson improved in 2016-17. He scored 11 goals, matched his career-high in assists, and all while getting the lowest ice time of his career.
But Karlsson’s box score success masked some troubling signs for the forward. For the second consecutive season, his individual even strength shot (5.5 iSF60) and shot attempt (10.5 iCF/60) rates dropped, and was masked by a team-leading and career-high 15% shooting percentage in all situations.
Part of that, of course, may be because Karlsson once again played with lower-quality teammates than the previous season. His most-common linemates were still Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton, but Karlsson spent far more time with a wider variety of teammates.