Things are clicking for Erik Karlsson, Penguins after overhaul

Erik Karlsson is 17 games into his third season with the Pittsburgh Penguins (9-5-3). Years one and two in the black and gold didn’t go according to plan for Karlsson or anyone, for that matter, as the Pens missed the playoffs in both seasons.

That’s led to quite a bit of change on and off the ice in Pittsburgh as general manager Kyle Dubas embarks on a re-tool of sorts, attempting to turn things around quickly enough for his aging superstars to get one final crack at a postseason run before all is said and done. 

The most notable move from this past offseason was the dismissal of longtime head coach Mike Sullivan, who won back-to-back Stanley Cups behind the bench immediately upon his arrival in the Steel City. 

It was a bittersweet ending to his 10-year run with the Penguins, but many felt it was long overdue, and with the way the team has looked under newly hired Dan Muse, its fair to wonder what could’ve been had the organization pulled the plug on Sullivan earlier. 

The Penguins and Karlsson in particular have looked rejuvenated to start the 2025-26 season, and the star defenseman recently made some interesting comments when speaking to The Athletic's Josh Yohe, which appeared to end with a subtle shot at Sullivan and his staff. 

“We have good individual players. And now we’re finally starting to feel good as a team. The roles are starting to slot in. You know what’s expected of you. You do the things you’re good at, and not the things that someone tells you to do, that you can’t do,” Karlsson said.