Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

A Look At William Karlsson

03/16/2018 at 10:16am EDT

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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About Kukla's Korner Hockey

Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.

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