Karlsson picked up a shorthanded assist and two hits during Monday's 5-1 loss to the Red Wings.

EDGE Analysis

Surprisingly enough, it was Karlsson's first special teams points of the year. The 26-year-old continues to prove that even through the team's struggles, the Swede can find a way to reach the box score. The 2008 No. 15 pick has registered a goal and four assists through three games and will continue to pile up the points as the season rolls along.

Through two games, Karlsson's shift times are down from 1:04 (last year's average) to 42 seconds. When asked about coach Guy Boucher's plan to continue the trend, the blueliner noted he will need help from the coaches, but said "at the end of the day, it's going to be upon me whether I change or not. Maybe it's something I can improve. Hopefully, it will make me into a better hockey player. You're always looking for small things to improve yourself," Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

Karlsson has still been able to produce as the superstar Swede has a goal and three helpers alongside a plus-3 rating. While there are no power-play points to speak of, the 26-year-old is a consistent threat during the man advantage and coach Guy Boucher had previously mentioned keeping him out for the entirety of special teams situations. The decrease in shift time may have raised a red flag for some, but it's no cause for worry, as Karlsson has been on ice for an average of 29:07 over two games and maintains a point-per-game pace.

Karlsson notched an assist during Saturday's 4-3 shootout win against Montreal.

EDGE Analysis

Without Carey Price protecting the crease, the Senators were able fire at will and Karlsson had a piece in the action. The 26-year-old superstar can safely be counted on to reach the box score every time he takes the ice, in turn making him one of the most valuable options out there.

Karlsson lit the lamp on eight shots, adding two assists and a plus-3 rating during Wednesday's 5-4 overtime against the Maple Leafs.

EDGE Analysis

Besides having his troubles with young star Auston Matthews, it was business as usual for Karlsson on Opening Night. The Swedish superstar maintained a point-per-game pace with ease last season, kicking off 2016-17 with a bang and ensuring you were correct in choosing him as the No. 1 blueliner off the board. Despite early talks of limiting shift times, the 26-year-old was on ice for 27:36, easily the highest on the team. The 2008 No. 15 pick dropped 82 points last season, but something tells us we haven't seen the best of Karlsson just yet. Expect fireworks from the stud throughout the year.

Coach Guy Boucher would like to shorten Karlsson's shifts in 2016-17 to keep him fresh and maintain pace, Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

Karlsson led the league with 1:04 of ice time per shift last year, with the next closest being :56 shared by Travis Harmonic, Brent Burns and Alex Ovechkin. The superstar wants to be on the ice, but don't take this as a hit to his fantasy value. The Swede maintained a point-per-game pace and is absolutely lethal with the puck, and Boucher also stated he'd like to have Karlsson on ice for the entirety of a two-minute power play, if possible. The 26-year-old does damage on the man advantage -- 20-plus points in five of seven seasons in his career -- and continues to be a lock to feast in that department. This is more about strategy than taking a star off the ice, and it could actually end up working in the favor of owners as the season progresses. A few extra breathers should bode well for Karlsson, who already shoulders a huge load for the Sens.

Karlsson was on ice for 21:41 and recorded no points during Saturday's 3-2 overtime loss to Montreal in the preseason.

EDGE Analysis

While he didn't reach the box score, Karlsson joined his team for the first time since competing on Team Sweden in the World Cup of Hockey. Preseason aside, the 26-year-old stud is in line for another monster season and remains the No. 1 blueliner option across all drafts. The Swede held a point-per-game pace last year en route to a historical campaign that consisted of 16 goals and 66 assists.

Karlsson dished out two assists in 24:08 of ice time in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime loss to Team North America.

EDGE Analysis

Sweden's best blueliner got back on the scoresheet after being held pointless in a victory over Team Finland earlier in the week. With three points in three World Cup games, it's been business as usual for the Senators' captain, who will look to add to his international scoring totals when Sweden takes on Team Europe in the semifinals on Sunday.

Karlsson has been announced as a finalist for the 2016 Norris Trophy, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

Karlsson will face stiff competition for the award, with Drew Doughty and Brent Burns joining him as finalists. First, let's start with the bad for the blueliner -- a mediocre minus-2 rating. As for the rest, the 25-year-old Swede was downright spectacular. The 2008 first-round pick totaled 82 points, finding twine 16 times and amassing 66 apples. Karlsson was also special on the power play, notching 26 total points (25 helpers) in 4:39 of ice time during the man advantage. The superstar etched his name in history, becoming the fifth defenseman to reach 60 assists in a single season, and he also recorded the most points ever by a Swedish blueliner, surpassing the decorated Nicklas Lidstrom. Karlsson did everything he could this season to take home his third Norris Trophy, and he'll find out if it was enough when the winner is announced June 22.

Karlsson finished his record-breaking 2015-16 season with a career-high 82 points, registering 16 goals, 66 assists and 50 PIM in 82 games.

EDGE Analysis

Karlsson's season was so spectacular that is would be doing the superstar a disservice if we didn't mention it again. The 25-year-old had a campaign to remember, notching the most points ever by a Swedish defenseman, while also becoming just the second blueliner in history to lead his squad in points for three or more seasons. Oh, not to mention the 2008 first-round pick is just one of five defensemen to ever surpass 60 apples. Karlsson is the best in the business without much debate, and the only icing on the cake he's missing is the coveted Norris Trophy (winner still to-be-determined). We like his chances, and the Swede remains amongst fantasy's elite going into next season.

Karlsson will sit out the World Championships in order to be well-rested for the 2016 World Cup in September, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old deserves some rest, and Karlsson will now set his sights on leading Team Sweden to a 2016 World Cup. The superstar blueliner for Ottawa finished up one of the best campaigns ever by a defenseman, notching 82 points -- 56 at even strength -- and potentially a Norris Trophy to top it all off.