Kukla's Korner Hockey
The Karlsson For Norris Talk
by Paul on 03/09/12 at 12:25 PM ET
Comments (4)
from Kevin Allen of USA TODAY,
Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson has been dazzling enough this season that any discussion of his impact seems to include a comparison to the two most accomplished defensemen in NHL history.
Karlsson, 21, has been compared to a young version of Swedish countryman Nicklas Lidstrom because of the way he sees plays unfolding. Also, he has a chance to be the youngest player to win the Norris Trophy since 20-year-old Bobby Orr won it in 1968.
“His speed, vision, puck carrying, and passing skills make him one of the more gifted offensive players in the league,” said NBC analyst Pierre McGuire, a former NHL coach. “He is also just scratching the surface of his skills, too.”
Karlsson is seventh in the NHL in scoring with 67 points and he’s 23 points ahead of No. 2 defenseman Brian Campbell of the Florida Panthers.
“I think he plays a little bit like Nick did early in his career,” said Senators general manager Bryan Murray, who coached Lidstrom in Detroit years ago. “Nick took chances early in his career, but he knew how to get his body back in good position. And Karlsson is very fast about getting back.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Ottawa Senators, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: erik+karlsson
Comments
He is also just scratching the surface of his skills, too.
Well then he can be in the Norris talk when he’s exploring the depths rather than scratching the surface.
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 03/09/12 at 01:22 PM ET
Crazy to think TPH was 30 before he won one, seems to me that he has a ways to go still.
Posted by SolidTG7 on 03/09/12 at 01:36 PM ET
Karlsson doesn’t play on the PK much, but that is only natural considering he’s 21 and plays more than two minutes more a game on even strength than the next Senators defenseman. Only five defensemen in the league have played more minutes than Karlsson this year and only four have played more ES minutes. Comparing him to Mike Green is wrong. I don’t know if Karlsson should win the Norris at this point, but he deserves to be mentioned as a candidate nonetheless.
Posted by Colossal Cap Hit on 03/10/12 at 05:32 AM ET
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2 questions:
Does he spend a lot of time on the Pk?
Does he match up against the opposing team’s best line?
Because points are nice but if you can’t say yes to those questions you are essentially Mike Green.
Posted by SolidTG7 on 03/09/12 at 12:38 PM ET