Erik Karlsson, just 21, has taken the Ottawa Senators by storm, blossoming into an offensive powerhouse, a veteran defenseman and a leader among his peers this season.
None of this comes as a surprise to general manager Bryan Murray.
"I expected everything," Murray said.
In his third year with the Senators after being selected at No. 15 in the 2008 Entry Draft, Karlsson has taken the next step in having his name mentioned among the upper echelon of NHL defensemen. He currently sits second (tied with Daniel Sedin and Brian Campbell) among all players in assists with 21 and is tied for first place -- again with Campbell -- for points scored by defensemen.
