Canucks prospect Linus Karlsson breaks Elias Pettersson’s rookie scoring SHL record

Vancouver Canucks prospect Linus Karlsson has officially dethroned one of Elias Pettersson’s SHL records.

The record for most goals in a season by an SHL rookie, which Pettersson set at 24 in 2017-18 with the Växjö Lakers as a 19-year-old rookie, was broken by Karlsson, who scored his 25th and 26th goals of the season for Skelleftea AIK yesterday.

Karlsson turned 22 in November, meaning he’s an overage rookie in the SHL, and just one year younger than Pettersson.

A late bloomer, Karlsson projects as a bottom-six forward if he ever makes it to the NHL.

Resident prospect guru Chris Faber noted in February that Karlsson has made improvements to his game such as boasting a near NHL-ready shot, but his skating remains the biggest question mark moving forward when it comes to his chances of making it in the NHL.

Karlsson, who the Canucks acquired from the Sharks in exchange for Jonathan Dahlen, was selected in the third round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

Prior to this season, Karlsson hadn’t done much to catch the eye of onlookers, but this season in the SHL, he’s been fantastic — tallying 26 goals and 19 assists through 45.

Faber will have a full post-trade deadline Canucks prospect ranking dropping soon, and you can bet you’ll see Karlsson’s name on it.