The San Jose Sharks have signed their defenseman Erik Karlsson to an eight-year deal, with multiple reports stated he will receive $11.5 million per season, making him the highest-paid defenseman in the league. The Kings' Drew Doughty had held that distinction after signing an eight-year, $88 million deal last summer.
Sharks general manager Doug Wilson said in a statement: "We are extremely pleased that Erik and his wife Melinda have committed to the San Jose Sharks and that they have done so prior to July 1. Players with Erik's elite level of talent are rare and when they become available, it's important to be aggressive in pursuing them. He is a difference maker who consistently makes the players around him better. We are pleased that he has been proactive in addressing his injury from last season and are looking forward to him being part of our organization for a long time to come."
The Sharks acquired Karlsson from the Senators in September. Karlsson, 29, has the most points by defensemen since he entered the NHL in 2009-10.
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