Karlsson plays while leading the Canucks offense | theahl.com

Patrick Williamstheahl.com writer

Any aspiring Calder Cup champion team needs to break the game, and Abbotsford Canucks has one Linus Karlsson.

The 25-year-old striker will certainly be a priority list for Charlotte Inspectors as they prepare to face Karnak in the Calder Cup final. The first game of the seven best series was held on Friday at the Bojangles Stadium.

If there is an answer containing Carlson, Tucson Passerby, Coachella Valley Firebirds, Colorado Hawks and Texas stars, they all hope to find it. Karlsson burned all four teams with at least one goal this time Abbotsford’s journey to the finals. His nine goals ranked him as Calder Cup playoff lead in 18 games, ranking third in the playoffs and 17 points out of 17 points in 17 points Phil Di Giuseppe and Max Sassen. His work also helped drive the powerful Abbotsford Power Play, hitting 22.0% this playoffs.

The playoff work comes after a great regular season, after Karlsson was ready to go back after his last month in Vancouver, who scored six points (3 goals, three assists) in 23 NHL games this season. Karlsson returned to the Abbotsford roster on the final weekend of the regular season and scored five points (two goals and three assists) on the swift road between Coachella Valley and Ontario.

“I tried to go to the dirty area and the puck found my stick. The score was fun,” Carlson explained.

However, this kind of work goes far more than ice hockey to find his stick. Karlsson did go to the hard area of ​​the ice. He did not hesitate to use his own quality lens. He averaged 2.94 strokes per game in a 50 regular season and playoff game. And, the percentage of shots totaled 21.8%, which is a powerful game for him.

Still, the success of all these offenses is rare for players who can come out of the AHL and get the top six opportunities right away at the NHL level. At Abbotsford, he has provided him with an offensive team opportunity, averaging nearly 11 minutes per game in Vancouver. First, NHL level players must bear defensive responsibilities. The combination of characters allowed Carlson to maintain an offensive performance while also creating a two-way game for the NHL.

“Last year and this year, I’ve started now and I want to join the league further. I feel you have more confidence. You’re starting to get to know these guys and feel more comfortable there,” Carlson said.

Karlsson Jonathan Dahlen. After winning Rookie of the Year honors in the Swedish Hockey League in 2021-22, Karlsson headed to Abbotsford and added 47 goals in his first two AHL seasons. Now, he has a chance to win the Calder Cup – and a case for a full-time NHL job next season. After all, training camp is only three months away, and going through the rigor of the AHL playoffs requires significant physical, psychological and emotional contributions – but it can be a journey that can push players to stay in the NHL.

Carlson and his teammates have experienced a series of situations over the past two months. They were eliminated twice, and the winners won in Tucson and Colorado. Texas pulled them into six games in the Western Conference Finals. Karlsson thinks they are ready.

“I think we’re getting better and better every game, and whenever we really need to step up, we do it. Sure, we’re going to have some ups and downs, but every time we’re having a bad game, I’m stepping up after the game and showing how we’re doing.”

During the fifty years in the American Hockey League, Theahl.com writer Patrick Williams currently covers NHL.com and Flosports leagues and is a regular contributor to Siriusxm NHL New Network Radio. He won the AHL’s James H. Ellery Memorial Award for his outstanding league coverage in 2016.