Erik Karlsson is a defenseman playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL, as of January 2025. He was drafted 15th overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and played nine seasons with the Senators before moving to the San Jose Sharks and then the Penguins.
Karlsson has won the James Norris Memorial Trophy three times (2012, 2015, 2023) and has been selected to multiple NHL All-Star Games and Teams. He also received the Viking Award as Sweden's best ice hockey player in 2012, 2016, and 2017.
Read More: Erik Karlsson Stanley Cup Wins
Erik Karlsson's Contract
According to Spotrac, Erik Karlsson is signed to an 8-year, $92,000,000 contract with the San Jose Sharks, which includes a $53,000,000 signing bonus and guarantees the full $92,000,000. His average annual salary is $11,500,000. For the 2024-25 season, Karlsson will earn a base salary of $10,000,000 and a signing bonus of $1,000,000, while his cap hit for the season will be $11,500,000.
Karlsson’s contract, signed in 2019, runs through the 2026-27 season, with a free-agent status in 2027.
Erik Karlsson's Contract Breakdown
According to Spotrac, Erik Karlsson's contract for the 2024-25 season has a base salary of $10,000,000 and a signing bonus of $1,000,000. His cap hit is $11,500,000, and there is no dead cap. His total yearly cash for the season is $11,500,000.
| Year | Base Salary | Signing Bonus | Cap Hit | Dead Cap | Yearly Cash |
| 2024-25 | $10,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $11,500,000 | - | $11,500,000 |
How much is Erik Karlsson getting paid?
According to Spotrac, Karlsson's base salary for the 2024-2025 season will be $10,000,000 and a signing bonus of $1,000,000 while carrying a cap hit of $11,500,000.
What are the terms of Erik Karlsson’s contract?
According to Spotrac, Karlsson's eight-year contract has no additional terms. His former team San Jose Sharks agreed to keep paying $1.5 million of his salary each year until 2026-27, even though he now plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins. This is called a 'dead cap hit' and happens when a team retains part of a player's salary after a trade.
How much of Erik Karlsson’s contract is guaranteed?
According to Spotrac, Karlsson’s eight-year $92 million contract is fully guaranteed, including $53 million as a signing bonus and an average annual salary of $11.5 million.
Erik Karlsson's Career Earnings
According to Spotrac, Erik Karlsson's career earnings total $122,429,878 as of 2025.
Erik Karlsson's Contract History
According to Spotrac, Erik Karlsson's contract is an 8-year, $92,000,000 deal with the San Jose Sharks, signed in 2019. It includes a $53,000,000 signing bonus, guarantees $92,000,000, and carries an average annual salary of $11,500,000. For the 2024-25 season, his base salary is $10,000,000, with an additional $1,000,000 signing bonus. His cap hit for the season is $11,500,000, and his total yearly cash is also $11,500,000. Karlsson will be a UFA in 2027.
Karlsson signed a 7-year, $45,500,000 deal with the Ottawa Senators in 2012. His average salary on this contract was $6,500,000. He played under this contract until 2019 when he became a free agent. Before that, Karlsson had a 3-year rookie contract from 2009 to 2011 with an average salary of $1,300,000 and a signing bonus of $262,500.
| Season | Team | Signing Bonus | Base Salary | Cap Hit | Dead Cap | Yearly Cash |
| 2024-25 | Pittsburgh Penguins | $1,000,000 | $10,000,000 | $11,500,000 | - | $11,500,000 |
| 2023-24 | Pittsburgh Penguins | $1,000,000 | $10,500,000 | $11,500,000 | - | $11,500,000 |
| 2022-23 | San Jose Sharks | $10,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $11,500,000 | - | $11,500,000 |
| 2021-22 | San Jose Sharks | $9,000,000 | $5,500,000 | $11,500,000 | - | $11,500,000 |
| 2020-21 | San Jose Sharks | $10,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $11,500,000 | - | $11,500,000 |
| 2019-20 | San Jose Sharks | $11,000,000 | $3,500,000 | $11,500,000 | - | $11,500,000 |
| 2018-19 | San Jose Sharks | - | $7,500,000 | $6,500,000 | - | $6,500,000 |
| 2017-18 | Ottawa Senators | - | $7,000,000 | $6,500,000 | - | $6,500,000 |
| 2016-17 | Ottawa Senators | - | $7,000,000 | $6,500,000 | - | $6,500,000 |
| 2015-16 | Ottawa Senators | - | $7,000,000 | $6,500,000 | - | $6,500,000 |
| 2014-15 | Ottawa Senators | - | $6,500,000 | $6,500,000 | - | $6,500,000 |
| 2013-14 | Ottawa Senators | - | $5,500,000 | $6,500,000 | - | $6,500,000 |
| 2012-13 | Ottawa Senators | $1,000,000 | $4,000,000 | $6,500,000 | - | $6,500,000 |
| 2011-12 | Ottawa Senators | $87,500 | $787,500 | $875,000 | - | $1,300,000 |
| 2010-11 | Ottawa Senators | $87,500 | $787,500 | $875,000 | - | $1,300,000 |
| 2009-10 | Ottawa Senators | $87,500 | $787,500 | $875,000 | - | $1,300,000 |
FAQs on Erik Karlsson
A. Erik Karlsson was born on May 31, 1990, in Landsbro, Sweden.
A. Erik Karlsson plays as a defenseman.
A. Erik Karlsson has played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, San Jose Sharks, and Ottawa Senators.
A. Erik Karlsson won a silver medal (second place) at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.
A. Erik Karlsson won a silver medal (second place) at the 2009 World Junior Championships in Ottawa.
