Concerns continue to grow within the Pittsburgh Penguins organization surrounding veteran Erik Karlsson

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Tom Banks
November 13, 2024 (2:49 PM)

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Erik Karlsson hasn't been at his best this season, even if he believes so, and now, frustration is growing for the Penguins organization.

The Pittsburgh Penguins as a whole have been one of the most disappointing teams in the NHL this season, and their struggles could lead to a massive organizational shift in the coming months. The team has already moved a veteran forward following their slow start, and now frustrations continue to boil over within the organization, and it could be getting worse.

That frustration may now be pointed at veteran blue-liner Erik Karlsson, who recently suggested publicly that he is playing well this season, something that seemingly irked the coaching staff and the front office.

While 2 goals and 10 points through 17 games isn't the worst start for a defenseman, Karlsson has a -7 differential through those games, even if the advanced metrics suggest that they are a better team with him on the ice rather than off it.

However, at 34 years of age, many believe that we've already seen the best of the former three-time Norris Trophy winner, who came off a 101-point season in his final year in San Jose to post just 56 points in his first campaign with the Penguins.

Inside the organization, Josh Yohe of The Athletic has now suggested that some fear Karlsson is unlikely to improve from what we've seen already.

When this happens, usually a team will look to move a player, but given Karlsson's salary cap hit, there's no chance that an opposing team takes on his deal, so whatever the team believes, they need to get working to bring Karlsson and the rest of this team to life after a very poor start to the year.