from John Matisz of the Toronto Sun,
Karlsson’s meteoric rise is the least anticipated development on the most surprising and successful expansion team in pro sports history. And it’s wildly complicated.
There is no denying the absurdity of the situation: Karlsson is on pace for 42 goals and 30 assists.
Traditionally, 40-goal seasons in the NHL are reserved for household names with a track record of sniping. Ordinary players like Karlsson — who averaged eight goals and 22 points per 82 games for the Ducks and the Columbus Blue Jackets in his previous two-plus NHL seasons — do not.
Karlsson, who last scored 20 goals in his final year of junior in Sweden, has essentially quintupled his NHL goal rate and almost quadrupled his point rate this season. His overnight success story checks out on a granular level, too: Karlsson has contributed an additional 1.3 points per 60 minutes of 5-on-5 ice time this season.
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