Canucks prospect Karlsson beats Pettersson’s rookie record in Sweden
Elias Pettersson’s Swedish rookie goal record in Sweden no longer exists, and it is another member of the Vancouver Canucks organization who broke it.
Linus Karlsson, who has mostly been an under-radar prospect in Canuck’s organization since the team traded for him in 2019, today scored his 25th and 26th goal for Skellefteå AIK in the Swedish Hockey League.
The 6-foot-1, 179-pound-long forward tore home a couple of wrist shots to shoot past Pettersson’s stamp on 24 goals in 2017-18.
Unsigned #Canucks prospect Linus Karlsson broke SHL’s beginner goal record with two goals today (25th and 26th of the season). A record was previously held by 18-year-old Elias Pettersson. Very different players / ages / situations.
His game 👇👇
🔗:https://t.co/eJp78vRKQ0 pic.twitter.com/2GMf8xTySa– Daniel Gee (@DanielGScouting) March 22, 2022
Karlsson, it should be pointed out, has the advantage of being an old rookie. The late bloomer turned 22 in November, which made him three years older than what Pettersson was as an SHL rookie in 2017-18.
While the rookie goal record should perhaps be taken with a pinch of salt, Karlsson has already scored the 10th most goals in an SHL season by a player who is 22 years or younger.
With 45 points (26-19-45) in 51 matches, Karlsson leads his team in goal and is second on points this season. Karlsson is in ninth place in the total SHL points and is shared second in goals.
The switch for Karlsson, who saw Jonathan Dahlen go to San Jose, was not liked by prospect experts at the time. Truth be told, Dahlen may still be the better player, given he has 22 points in 52 games as an NHL rookie with the Sharks this season.
But that ship has sailed.
Canucks GM Patrik Allvin has previously said that the team would be active in trying to sign free agents from the NCAA and Europe. Karlsson, who is unsigned but under team control, is a candidate to play in Abbotsford next season.
Daily Hives Canucks prospect guru Daniel Gee profiled Karlsson in detail in December last year and noted that he had improved his game. Although he is not a great skater, Gee highlighted Karlsson’s impressive shots, passing ability and puck handling ability – and projected him as a potential bottom sex forward at the NHL level.
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