Erik Karlsson makes a very bold and confident statement about his abilities

A bold statement from San Jose Sharks defenceman Erik Karlsson. Karlsson is one of the highest paid players in the NHL ($11.5 million AAV) but hasn't really played like it over the last couple of seasons. There have been injuries, but he just doesn't seem like the offensive dynamo he once was. That said, Karlsson seems to believe nothing has changed.

"I still think I'm one of the best players in the world," Karlsson told reporters Saturday.

His best season in the NHL came when he was a still a member of the Ottawa Senators. He recorded 82 points in 82 games, elite stats for a blueliner. Last season, Karlsson played in 52 games and managed just 22 points, a far cry from what he was once able to do.

That isn't to say that Karlsson can't return to the form he once had. At the same time, he's 31 and still has another five seasons left on his massive contract after this one. Unless he can still be one of the best players in the world, that contract will be a bitter pill for San Jose for a few years yet.