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Welcome to the latest Vancouver Canucks 2024–25 Report Card. Today, we focus on Linus Karlsson, who played 23 NHL games and 32 AHL games this season with Vancouver and the Abbotsford Canucks.
Karlsson made significant progress in both leagues this year, and he looks poised to secure a steady spot on the Canucks roster in 2025-26. He first appeared in an NHL game against Vancouver on December 19th, played one more before returning to Abbotsford, and came back to Vancouver’s main roster on January 23rd, gradually building consistency.
He scored his first NHL goal on January 29th versus the Nashville Predators, though he was already a scoring threat in the AHL. By mid-March, Karlsson set a new Abbotsford Canucks franchise record with 66 goals. He ended the regular AHL season with 23 goals and 16 assists in 32 games, averaging 1.21 points per game.
Karlsson really shined at the NHL level late in the season. Injuries on the Canucks allowed him and several Abbotsford teammates to prove themselves. In the last 10 NHL games, he tallied two goals and three assists.
Karlsson gained momentum from his NHL experience when he returned for the Calder Cup playoffs in the AHL. He led all players in postseason points with 14 goals and 12 assists in 14 games, maintaining an impressive 1.08 points per game. He also set an AHL record by scoring 11 goals in a single postseason—a record for a Swedish player. Though Arturs Silovs earned the Playoff MVP, Karlsson’s performance was a key part of the Canucks’ Calder Cup victory.
The Canucks acquired Karlsson on February 25, 2019, trading him from the San Jose Sharks. Early in his career, he was seen as a promising talent, sometimes compared to Elias Pettersson as a dynamic duo reminiscent of the Sedin twins. The Canucks’ GM at the time, Jim Benning, showed confidence in the young forward.
The 2024-25 season was a strong step forward for Karlsson, who focused on refining his skills and competing for a permanent NHL role. His 23 NHL games this year exceeded earlier expectations. With free agency behind them, the Canucks’ roster looks clearer, giving Karlsson a good chance to cement his place in the team depth. For his efforts this season, he earns a B-, and there is optimism that he will build on his NHL goal-scoring in 2025-26 to become an influential depth player.
Fan Take: Linus Karlsson’s rise highlights the importance of development leagues like the AHL in shaping future NHL stars. His performance this season suggests we could see a breakout player in Vancouver, which is exciting for fans and promising for the sport’s growth in the years ahead.
