The NHL talk of the town all off-season was the future of Erik Karlsson. That conversation has died down mostly, save for a few errant tweets stirring the proverbial dung. As the season approaches and hockey media outlets try their damndest to predict this coming season’s outcome(s), the likely regression of William Karlsson will become a more pressing topic. In San Jose, meanwhile, the Sharks have their own Karlsson to be excited about (and sorry, it’s not Melker).
On Emmanuel Perry’s list of every forward currently under the age of 19 who was technically eligible for the 2018 draft, Linus Karlsson, the Sharks’ third-round pick, ranks tied for 35 in terms of potential upside (WAR/82 in the NHL).