Jack Han on Erik Karlsson’s Biggest Hurdle

Jack Han believes there’s a path for Erik Karlsson to continue being a star defenseman for the San Jose Sharks.

It’s not just about getting healthy.

Wilson: “You’re about to see Erik Karlsson be one of the dominant players in the game again.”

The quotes that jumped out in Han’s recent video analysis of 2012 Karlsson vs. 2016 vs. 2020 were “I am extremely worried about Karlsson’s game” and “He is no longer a very good skater.”

But you might have missed Han’s conclusion: “Erik Karlsson is a hockey genius. But to keep playing his brand of hockey into his 30s, he’ll have to (re)incorporate some new elements to his game.”

In his article, Han pointed out four elements of skating — weight shifts, open pivots, defensive footwork and angling, and puck plays blended inside movement — that the San Jose Sharks blueliner should be getting back in touch with.

San Jose Hockey Now caught up with the former Toronto Maple Leafs organization analyst and coach to elaborate on his observations of Karlsson’s game and the two-time Norris Trophy winner’s biggest hurdle.

Sheng Peng: You suggested Tyler Ennis as a good template to me for a Karlsson comeback. Can you speak to that more?