Sweden is known for a lot of things. It's the home of the Notorious B.I.G, Bjork has (presumably) been there, koalas, potatoes...also, hockey.

No one really knows anything about Sweden - it's the most mysterious country on earth. Possibly Rivendell is there.

We do know they gave us Erik Karlsson - basically a younger, better looking, superior at hockey playing Legolas.



One of the strangest things about Karlsson's career is how he is totally awesome and all anyone ever does is talk about how bad he is at defense. Then when he overcomes that and becomes even better, people randomly start throwing trophies at "Drew Doughty," whoever that even is.

Now, he's better than ever and everyone wants to talk about Brent Burns. I get that a hobo rising from the boxcar ranks to dominate the NHL is a pretty impressive story, but Erik Karlsson makes the Senators relevant, has the locks of a young Jesus and is still the NHL's best defenseman.

Check this out:

@TSNSteveLloyd pic.twitter.com/BXEppSDFDG

— Mike Babcock (@BabcockinTO) March 10, 2017

Notice how basically every guy between Karlsson and Bobby Orr played when goalies used Highliner Fishsticks as pads and allowed nine goals per game? It's impressive.

Obviously No one is saying Karlsson is better than Bourque, Potvin, or even Housley. Just that he is an amazing player who really doesn't get the credit he deserves, even though he does have two Norris Trophies.



Last night against the Coyotes, where he had the winning goal, he hit 60 points for the fifth time. He's only 26, and it's the fifth year in a row he's done it, if you ignore the year he missed because of injury/lockout.

Look at this beauty.



I wanted the Coyotes to win. Or, more specifically, I wanted the Senators to lose (in order for the Leafs to catch them) but I couldn't be mad about this.

Karlsson is the best defenseman in the NHL. He is possibly the best player.

Brent Burns has ten more points. He also plays on San Jose. Karlsson plays on Ottawa. Burns has more options and better players. Is it ten points worth? I don't know. Maybe.

I'll still vote for Karlsson in my fake Norris voting.

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