Erik Karlsson’s Resurgence Comes With Subtle Shot at Former Coach

Erik Karlsson looks reborn — and he’s not hiding why. The Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman, who recently played his 1,100th NHL game, has rediscovered his confidence and flair under new head coach Dan Muse, and his comments after the milestone left many believing he was taking an indirect shot at former coach Mike Sullivan.

“We have good individual players,” Karlsson said. “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.”

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That last line — “not the things someone tells you to do, that you can’t do” — raised eyebrows. It reads like a subtle dig at Sullivan, whose handcuffing, defense-first structure last season was not the kind of system that a free-flowing Karlsson could thrive under. Interestingly, Sullivan is now in New York, where the Rangers can’t seem to buy a goal and have been shut out five times at home.

Karlsson Thriving with Penguins, Sullivan Struggling with Rangers

Now, under Muse, the 34-year-old is thriving. He’s got 12 points in 17 games and is a plus/minus +6. He’s producing offense in ways like he used to and says he feels “really good” about where they are:

“We’ve put together good games, controlled play, held on to pucks. That makes you believe a little bit more. And we’re starting to believe.”

Karlsson’s 2025-26 campaign has been a revelation — and his numbers back it up. No active defenseman, and only nine in NHL history, has recorded more points through 1,100 games. He’s not just producing; he’s setting the tone for a Penguins team that finally looks like it’s found its identity again.

Karlsson’s confidence is back — and with it, so is Pittsburgh’s swagger.

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