Pittsburgh Penguins Erik Karlsson.
CRANBERRY — For a guy with a lot to prove, Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson did a lot of smiling Thursday on the first day of training camp at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex.
The 35-year-old noted that under a new coaching staff led by Dan Muse, it wasn’t a light workout. His group’s practice included puck battles, high-speed two-on-two drills, pushups and wind sprints.
“Probably one of the harder first-day training camp skates I’ve done in a long time. So it was nice. It was nice to know that (I) can still hang,” Karlsson said with a grin.
Proving he can still hang one day into camp is just one thing he’s facing. Karlsson hasn’t quite lived up to his status as a former Norris Trophy winner with a triple-digit scoring season on his resume in his two seasons with the Penguins.
He named showing that he can still be an elite NHL player and playing well enough to get selected by his native Sweden for the 2026 Winter Olympics as his two major challenges – challenges that he hopes to convert into motivation.
“I’m aiming to play in the Olympics,” said Karlsson, who was not one of the initial six who were named to Team Sweden over the summer.
“As of right now, I think I’m a lock on that team. I still have to prove myself and show them that I can still play at a very high level. I think I’ve done that up until now. I’ve got to continue that.
“That’s obviously a big motivator for me, the same as it’s a motivator for me to come in here and show that I can be a top player in this league still, which I believe I am.”
Penguins president of hockey operations/general manager Kyle Dubas is counting on that.
“Erik’s an extraordinarily proud person, and I think he comes into the year with a lot to play for, both reputationally himself, but also I think more importantly, he wasn’t named to the Swedish Olympic first six, and that’s a very important item for him. … He just has a huge amount of incentive this season. He’s going to want to win before he retires, an he’s going to want to play at the highest level of best-on-best hockey.”
After a 101-point Norris season with San Jose in 2022-23, Karlsson has produced 109 points in two seasons with the Penguins. As well, he has drawn criticism for defensive gaffes.
That, along with a glut of defensemen in camp, has led to widespread speculation that Karlsson might waive his no-movement clause in his contract and Dubas might try – or might have tried – to trade him.
Karlsson said no such distractions reached him during the offseason, which he spent mostly in Sweden, and that he is not surprised to still be with the Penguins.
“It was a quiet summer for me,” he said. “Didn’t really hear much other than what I read from you guys and other people around the league, which is typical for the offseason.
“I know I’m in the position I’m in, but on my end it was a very quiet and relaxing summer. I was focused on the things I wanted to accomplish this summer, the mindset I wanted to have this season. That was always going to be here.”
Karlsson signed with the Penguins in part to make a push for a Stanley Cup. Instead, he and the team have missed the playoffs.
Perhaps it was the optimism of training camp, but Karlsson said he believes the Penguins can be successful.
“I think we’re going to be very competitive,” he said. “I feel like everybody’s very excited. Obviously, there’s going to be a lot of changes, a lot of things (with) how things are operating and the way play. I think guys are excited for that. It will be a new challenge.”
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