I don’t have an issue with Karlsson. We always beg for more personality. He has a ton of it. Eating an apple with long hair, goatee and tattoos, giving smart ass answers like a pirate. His contract is bad. He was legitimately among the best D of the modern generation and had some severe injuries. He and his wife also lost a child. He probably is so tired of being asked about his performance. It’s likely he’s just playing as well as he’s physically able to after all the injuries and the expectations relative to the salary aren’t really his fault. He didn’t give himself the contract, or the injuries, and he’d have been an idiot to say “oh, no, I’m not sure I can live up to that... pay me less”.
He also has still scored at a 58 point per 82 pace, and prior to this weird Covid season, it was actually 64 per 82 since coming to San Jose. It’s not like he’s atrocious. He used to dominate defensively by controlling the puck for 30 minutes a game and not allowing it to be in his own end. He can’t skate like that or do that anymore so he’s more exposed in terms of spending time in his own end. He still puts up points. His contract sucks but, c’est la vie. I’ve always liked Karlsson.