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- shvingter88

Karlsson actually won. Surprised, but he deserved it.

Karlsson actually won. Surprised, but he deserved it.
- _Zippy_

He's the most talented defensman in the league, and is by no means a defensive liability. That said, he isn't shutdown either, and I find Weber's ability to play against the best and still put up near 50 points is more impressive.

He's the most talented defensman in the league, and is by no means a defensive liability. That said, he isn't shutdown either, and I find Weber's ability to play against the best and still put up near 50 points is more impressive.
- rmdevil313

Karlson isn't used in a shutdown role because his game is about possessing the puck. He's so good that he doesn't need to play like Weber or Chara because he can easily get the puck from most attackers through his quickness and strong positioning. His defense comes from having the puck all the time so the other team can't play offense.

Karlson isn't used in a shutdown role because his game is about possessing the puck. He's so good that he doesn't need to play like Weber or Chara because he can easily get the puck from most attackers through his quickness and strong positioning. His defense comes from having the puck all the time so the other team can't play offense.
- Pomegrant

Agree on some points, disagree on others. He's above average defensively, but I don't think he's ready for a shutdown role regardless of how he does it. If a team pins him in his own zone, he's not as steady as Weber or Chara. There is still some work that needs to be done there (but he's what, 21? It will come). I think his lack of PK time was more a result of the role his team needed than his actual defensive skill, but I have a hard time giving the norris to a player that was practically asked to play a strictly offensive role. Weber was the best shutdown D in the league this year, and still posted 49 points. I would have given the nod to him.

Agree on some points, disagree on others. He's above average defensively, but I don't think he's ready for a shutdown role regardless of how he does it. If a team pins him in his own zone, he's not as steady as Weber or Chara. There is still some work that needs to be done there (but he's what, 21? It will come). I think his lack of PK time was more a result of the role his team needed than his actual defensive skill, but I have a hard time giving the norris to a player that was practically asked to play a strictly offensive role. Weber was the best shutdown D in the league this year, and still posted 49 points. I would have given the nod to him.
- rmdevil313

I see your side too. Makes sense.

Real question: will Malkin ever learn English?

Agree on some points, disagree on others. He's above average defensively, but I don't think he's ready for a shutdown role regardless of how he does it. If a team pins him in his own zone, he's not as steady as Weber or Chara. There is still some work that needs to be done there (but he's what, 21? It will come). I think his lack of PK time was more a result of the role his team needed than his actual defensive skill, but I have a hard time giving the norris to a player that was practically asked to play a strictly offensive role. Weber was the best shutdown D in the league this year, and still posted 49 points. I would have given the nod to him.
- rmdevil313

Why play a player like that on the PK, if you can use him to his fullest at even strength and on the PP?

I see your side too. Makes sense.

Real question: will Malkin ever learn English?
- Pomegrant

That was funny.

I see your side too. Makes sense.

Real question: will Malkin ever learn English?
- Pomegrant

I definitely think Karlsson deserves it, just not my pick.

I definitely think Karlsson deserves it, just not my pick.
- rmdevil313

For sure... you can make a strong case for any one of those guys..

Why play a player like that on the PK, if you can use him to his fullest at even strength and on the PP?
- _Zippy_

I think this season it was because of a lack of real offensive firepower upfront and a lot of young players, they needed someone who could help create offense consistently. Once some of those players fill out and be able to sustain pressure more consistenly, Karlsson will be used on the PK because he will be on of the better PKers on the team.

I think this season it was because of a lack of real offensive firepower upfront and a lot of young players, they needed someone who could help create offense consistently. Once some of those players fill out and be able to sustain pressure more consistenly, Karlsson will be used on the PK because he will be on of the better PKers on the team.
- rmdevil313

They had players that could play the PK role, Cowen, Kuba, Phillips, Gonchar, Carkner/Gilroy can do that role better than him. It's just a waste to play him there, because he brings it offensively.