How good is Erik Karlsson?

[Urkie]

Okay, you might say I'm a bit of a homer but I think people really need to start paying attention to this kid and quickly.

Keep in mind that Karlsson is only 21 and he's already averaging the most minutes per game on the team, has the most points in the league among defensemen and is tied for the league lead in assists. And I can honestly say that he has the potential to become and even bigger force. Yeah, everyone knows how good he is offensively but this year he has made serious strides defensively and he's been able to put up better numbers offensively. Plus he's playing on a team with limited skill up front which makes it even more impressive.

I can honestly say that I've never seen a player skate like he does or at least very few. Scott Niedermayer comes to mind and if you watch him skate then you'll know I'm not kidding. His stickhandling ability is amazing and his passing is unbelievable at times. He's the guy that I love watching now. Every game he does something that I know very few players could possibly do. He's just special and if I were Bryan Murray then I would not hesitate to get this guy resigned for the next decade. The sky is the limit for him...it really is.

 

[GagneFire12]

Homer.

 

[GagneFire12]

But really, Karlsson is a heck of a player. He definitely has a major "wow" factor. I'm looking forward to seeing him blossom even more.

 

[PhillyPhaithful48]

Okay, you might say I'm a bit of a homer but I think people really need to start paying attention to this kid and quickly.

Keep in mind that Karlsson is only 21 and he's already averaging the most minutes per game on the team, has the most points in the league among defensemen and is tied for the league lead in assists. And I can honestly say that he has the potential to become and even bigger force. Yeah, everyone knows how good he is offensively but this year he has made serious strides defensively and he's been able to put up better numbers offensively. Plus he's playing on a team with limited skill up front which makes it even more impressive.

I can honestly say that I've never seen a player skate like he does or at least very few. Scott Niedermayer comes to mind and if you watch him skate then you'll know I'm not kidding. His stickhandling ability is amazing and his passing is unbelievable at times. He's the guy that I love watching now. Every game he does something that I know very few players could possibly do. He's just special and if I were Bryan Murray then I would not hesitate to get this guy resigned for the next decade. The sky is the limit for him...it really is.

I don't pay attention because I wanted him in the draft....badly

 

[Destroydacre]

How's Cowen been so far this year?

 

[Urkie]

But really, Karlsson is a heck of a player. He definitely has a major "wow" factor. I'm looking forward to seeing him blossom even more.

He definitely does have that "wow" factor. He just is one of those players that exciting to watch.

 

[Urkie]

How's Cowen been so far this year?

He's been good too. He's really helped the PK a lot lately and he's really good in his own zone. He has the ability to make huge hits too. The question mark with him is whether or not he can develop an offensive game. He might not have to with Karlsson on the same team though.

 

[puckhead]

the answer: very, very good.
alternate answer: so good that you don't spend every waking moment complaining about Gonchar.

congrats. don't ruin him (or trade him away for shit)

 

[Automattic]

So he's good enough to be in a package deal with Spezza?

 

[evolver115]

the answer: very, very good.
alternate answer: so good that you don't spend every waking moment complaining about Gonchar.

congrats. don't ruin him (or trade him away for shit)

Say what you want about Sergei and his drop-off in recent years, but the time that he spent in Pittsburgh with a guy like Letang under his wing, IMO, enhanced Kris' abilities. I could see him benefiting Karlsson in the same way.

Sarge has always done it the right way. He is a great example for young defensemen to look up to.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

How's Cowen been so far this year?

He's been pretty good.

He's been a monster on the PK lately. Every now and he just makes your jaw drop by how easily he knocks a guy off of the puck. Other times he seems to get easily beaten in a battle for the puck. The latter is always because he doesn't have the right position on the guy. Once he learns all his angles at this level he'll be a force.

He skates much better than advertised too.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

Back to the OP though. Karlsson will be (if he's not already) the best offensive blueliner in the league within the next 3-4 years.

He's getting pretty damn good in his own end too.

 

[Urkie]

the answer: very, very good.
alternate answer: so good that you don't spend every waking moment complaining about Gonchar.

congrats. don't ruin him (or trade him away for shit)

He is the best offensive defensemen the Sens have ever had and he's one of the best I've seen since I started watching hockey. The scary part is that he's already one of the best in the game and he's only 21. Normally defensemen take longer to develop but not Karlsson.

I've gotta give credit to Gonchar. He seems re-energized this season and he's actually been really good.

 

[Urkie]

Say what you want about Sergei and his drop-off in recent years, but the time that he spent in Pittsburgh with a guy like Letang under his wing, IMO, enhanced Kris' abilities. I could see him benefiting Karlsson in the same way.

Sarge has always done it the right way. He is a great example for young defensemen to look up to.

I think Gonchar has helped Karlsson but I think Alfie helped him more. He took him under his wing that first season and showed him how to be a pro. Ever since then he's done nothing but improve.

 

[Urkie]

Back to the OP though. Karlsson will be (if he's not already) the best offensive blueliner in the league within the next 3-4 years.

He's getting pretty damn good in his own end too.

He doesn't really need to improve his offensive game at all going forward. It's his defensive game and I think Paul MacLean has stressed that to him. He's become very effecient in his own end this year and now that he has, he's really become a heck of a defensemen.

He's probably going to get even better as he gains more and more experience too.