Erik Karlsson is a beast

[Urkie]

I know I'm biased and I know my avatar kind of gives it away.

But I bet most people didn't realize that Karlsson is tied for the most points among defensemen in the playoffs and is playing 26 minutes a game which is the most on the team. And he's doing all of this as a 19 year old rookie.

Pretty incredible if you ask me. Just think how good he'll be in 3 or 4 years with a little more experience under his belt.

 

[Burns80y]

I know I'm biased and I know my avatar kind of gives it away.

But I bet most people didn't realize that Karlsson is tied for the most points among defensemen in the playoffs and is playing 26 minutes a game which is the most on the team. And he's doing all of this as a 19 year old rookie.

Pretty incredible if you ask me. Just think how good he'll be in 3 or 4 years with a little more experience under his belt.

********************Man Crush Alert*********************

Kidding, he has been good so far in this series.

 

[MM213]

He is pretty good, indeed.
Him and fellow viking Regin are the future of Senators. On a second thought: more like present already

 

[Urkie]

********************Man Crush Alert*********************

Kidding, he has been good so far in this series.

Maybe.

He's got the most potential of any Sens defensemen ever though. The skies the limit with him really.

 

[dash]

It was the emergence of Mark Giordano in Calgary this season that made Phaneuf expendable. Well, that and a shoving match with Iggy in the Flames dressing room.

Karlsson just needs to add a little strength to his game, and he'll be a stud for years to come.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

I've never seen a raw rookie defenseman who could skate like that. He's got the hands to match as well.

He'll be a top 5 offensive defensive for a dozen years in the NHL.

 

[Urkie]

It was the emergence of Mark Giordano in Calgary this season that made Phaneuf expendable. Well, that and a shoving match with Iggy in the Flames dressing room.

Karlsson just needs to add a little strength to his game, and he'll be a stud for years to come.

Agreed on adding strength to his game. That's the one weakness he does have right now but he's quick enough that he can usually escape big body checks. However, in one on one battles he's not very good and that's the area of concern. It's completely understandable though because he's only 19, he's relatively small and he's from Sweden.

As he gets older and adds more strength he'll get even better.

 

[Urkie]

I've never seen a raw rookie defenseman who could skate like that. He's got the hands to match as well.

He'll be a top 5 offensive defensive for a dozen years in the NHL.

Kenny!!!

Welcome aboard man.

 

[GagneFire12]

I'm was really impressed how he handled Malkin in the OT sessions last night. That's when I tuned in - due to the Devils/Flyers game.

He's a shifty little pucker.

 

[dash]

Oh great, now we're going to get a whole song and dance on the many uses of Ovaltine ;-)

 

[KennyBanyeah]

Kenny!!!

Welcome aboard man.

Thanks Urk, and thanks for the invite.

Karlsson has been great, but he does need to bulk up. If he can get up to 195 lbs in a year or two he'll be a top 5-10 D-Man for a long time. Even as it is, he's kind of upstaged Hedman as the best rookie defenseman this year, IMO.

 

[Urkie]

Thanks Urk, and thanks for the invite.

Karlsson has been great, but he does need to bulk up. If he can get up to 195 lbs in a year or two he'll be a top 5-10 D-Man for a long time. Even as it is he's kind of upstaged Hedman as the best rookie defenseman this year, IMO.

I think Karlsson could have been a Calder candidate if he played like he did the second half of the season all season.

And Karlsson will be a force for years to come. His play this season and in the playoffs has proved he will be one of the best defensemen in the league very soon if not already. As he learns from his mistakes and gets a little bigger he will become even more of a force.

He upstaged Hedman for sure though, just not Myers.

 

[scottflyers88]

had no idea who this guy was all season. the playoffs are a great stage to show off your talent. for us it is giroux. people know more and more about him although he steps it up in the playoffs. karlsson is a very good player and he is showing he is good against great players. i do not think he is one of the best defensemen in the game right now although maybe in a few years.

right now look at doughty, keith, pronger, green and others. i am just surprised guys like karlsson and myers were not hyped up as much as hedman after you watch them play. i know hedman has already played professionally although these guys had better years and might be better players.

 

[Blitzville]

I just saw Ryan Lambert predict that Erik Karlsson wins another Norris.

I have a bunch of comments on this but I'll just stick with one: Karlsson winning back to back Norrises because it's clear he's the best? What hockey is he watching? Karlsson is a superb offensive defenseman and as such gets the pts that sway Norris voters, but clear best defenseman in the league? I'm pretty sure if the GMs had a pick of any defenseman in the league to play for them this season, not a single one of them would pick Karlsson.

That's not saying Erik Karlsson is bad, just that he in no way is clearly the best defenseman.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

I just saw Ryan Lambert predict that Erik Karlsson wins another Norris.

I have a bunch of comments on this but I'll just stick with one: Karlsson winning back to back Norrises because it's clear he's the best? What hockey is he watching? Karlsson is a superb offensive defenseman and as such gets the pts that sway Norris voters, but clear best defenseman in the league? I'm pretty sure if the GMs had a pick of any defenseman in the league to play for them this season, not a single one of them would pick Karlsson.

That's not saying Erik Karlsson is bad, just that he in no way is clearly the best defenseman.

1)

2)

3) Look at Karlsson's Corsi and Fenwick stats. He tilts he ice in his team's favour more than just about any d-man out there, relative to his teammates.

4) In this era of the NHL the most valuable thing any skater can do is create offense. It is the hardest thing to do and therefore at a premium. No one does that better than Karlsson at his position.

5) I believe that Bob MacKenzie polled 20 GMs last year and more than half of them said that Karlsson was the best defenseman last year.


Will he win he Norris this year? Possibly.

Do you know what you're talking bout? almost definitely not.

 

[dash]

Karlsson just needs to add a little strength to his game, and he'll be a stud for years to come.

^
|---- This guy knows what he's talking aboot