The Ottawa Senators didn't have a great Sunday against the San Jose Sharks, but Erik Karlsson put up promising stats in a 5-2 loss. Despite a -1 rating, Karlsson generated the kind of numbers his owners hoped for. He had a staggering nine SOG to go with his goal and assist. His tendency to fire a ton of pucks on net is a big reason why fantasy owners pick him so high, so this is a great sign - even if trailing probably inflates that mark.

Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson had a Friday to forget, as he was on the ice for both Anaheim Ducks goals in a 2-1 loss. The game-winner can be pinned on Karlsson, as he coughed up a puck that eventually ended up being Ryan Getzlaf's game-winner. The Swedish blueliner can be a high-risk, high-reward player, so some nights are going to be rougher than others.

Erik Karlsson logged a season-high 30:37 of ice time in Saturday's 3-1 loss to Edmonton. He currently stands third in the league with an average ice time of 27:46 per contest. Karlsson has six points, 22 shots and a minus-2 rating in eight games this year.

Erik Karlsson amassed a goal and two assists Thursday night. This is the kind of performance that Karlsson owners had been waiting for. The offensive blueliner doubled his point total and he was back rushing the puck up the ice like he used to. He has the ability to score like a top-six forward and if this game was his wake-up call then the opposition should watch out.

Erik Karlsson hasn't played close to his 2011-12 Norris Trophy form yet this year. He had four shots and a minus-3 rating in 24:37 of ice time against Anaheim Sunday night. Karlsson also has one goal and one assist in five games this season. The good news is that he still has plenty of time to turn things around, so don't be quick to write him off.

Erik Karlsson collected the game-winner for the Ottawa Senators, who barely slipped past the Buffalo Sabres 1-0 on Friday. Karlsson collected four SOG, which is almost pedestrian for a blueliner who fires an almost unheard of amount of pucks at the net. He logged just under 26 minutes on Friday, so worries about his health might be overblown. Clarke MacArthur and Kyle Turris earned the assists.

Erik Karlsson contributed two assists in Ottawa's 3-1 pre-season win against Winnipeg Sunday. "It's the first game of the year and I don't think I felt any different than any other first game of the year," Karlsson said. "I obviously had some small issues out there, but I don't think that's something I didn't expect." He added that his Achilles tendon felt "good" in his first game action of the year, which is very good news.

Although Erik Karlsson's previously lacerated Achilles tendon isn't what it used to be, he doesn't think it will be a problem this season. Karlsson missed most of the 2013 campaign after Matt Cooke's skate sliced his Achilles tendon. "There's a number of things that are different," Karlsson said. "But I have to get used to that. I still feel I have all the strength that I need. It's a little bit about connection down there, but it shouldn't be an issue. We haven't played any games yet, but I'm not concerned at all it's going to affect my game in any way."

Erik Karlsson doesn't think the numbness he feels in his left foot will hamper him during the upcoming season. He isn't sure when the feeling will go away, but other than that he said he felt good after taking to the ice on Monday in Ottawa. Feel free to draft him with confidence this year because he's still the most valuable defenseman in fantasy hockey.

Erik Karlsson expects to be 100 percent when the regular season begins. He is currently in Sweden where he is participating in some Olympic training. He spoke with Swedish reporter Marie Lehmann and said that even though he isn't fully back to normal yet, he feels he will be ready by the time Ottawa plays at Buffalo on Oct. 4 in their 2013-14 opener. Karlsson missed most of the lockout-shortened campaign because of severed Achilles tendon.