Prior to his ankle injury I would have said that Karlsson was the best player in the league. Though he's been injured, I still think he's a top 20 defense man in the league.

I have referenced before that Selanne was essentially done in 2004. The 2004-05 lockout allowed him to properly rehab his knee. I am curious to see how Karlsson performs after the shutdown. The guy has never had this much time to recover. I actually see him coming back quite strongly.
- TheUltimateJet

I can totally see this. It’s not like any of his skills have eroded. It’s simply an issue of the skating being iffy due to that foot injury. This could see a return of the God King Karlsson.

Tavares is still elite. By the time he’s making more than he’s worth, Toronto’s window will be closed. The question is whether or not they win before that happens. Who knows.
- Rexypoo

Wow!!!!
He produces less than Wheeler, and taveras has slowed down more! They are both on the decline hill of their careers but Taveras’s hill is much steeper!! He makes 3mil more and has an extra year on his deal. It’s not even close who’s deal is worse!!!!
Your Jet hate and Leaf love is blinding you.

I can totally see this. It’s not like any of his skills have eroded. It’s simply an issue of the skating being iffy due to that foot injury. This could see a return of the God King Karlsson.
- Rexypoo

One of the most over rated players of the last ten years.

Wow!!!!
He produces less than Wheeler, and taveras has slowed down more! They are both on the decline hill of their careers but Taveras’s hill is much steeper!! He makes 3mil more and has an extra year on his deal. It’s not even close who’s deal is worse!!!!
Your Jet hate and Leaf love is blinding you.
- Ross77

Edit,
I should have wrote your hate for the organization’s management and your love of Dubas.

One of the most over rated players of the last ten years.
- Ross77

This is the hottest take I’ve ever seen in this comment section, and that’s with both me and Ultimate lurking in these waters

Edit,
I should have wrote your hate for the organization’s management and your love of Dubas.
- Ross77

Tavares’ ability as a player in relation to his price tag has nothing to do with Toronto or Dubas. He could be playing for the Cleveland Barons, and the contract is fine

Tavares’ ability as a player in relation to his price tag has nothing to do with Toronto or Dubas. He could be playing for the Cleveland Barons, and the contract is fine
- Rexypoo

This is incorrect.
He is over paid for what he is producing. Having 5 years left at his cost is horrible!! Clearly you haven’t watched him as he has slowed down to a Kyle Wellwoad pace.

And let’s dive into at least three key Dubas mistakes.

-Signed Taveras, who at the time was very good and is still good but not worth nearly what he’s making but most importantly was not what his team needed at all and now are stuck with that 11 million cap hit for 5 more years.

Traded away Kadri, lost the trade and made his team worse

Has now signed and overpaid Brodie, this contract will not age well, like possibly not even in its first year. Mark this one down!!

Bonus mistake,
Didn’t lock up Mathews long enough and walked him to UFA status.

This is the hottest take I’ve ever seen in this comment section, and that’s with both me and Ultimate lurking in these waters
- Rexypoo

No one will talk about him in ten years, he will be forgotten quickly.

That’s only partially true.
He’s not the same, his speed is still there, but the mobility isn’t what it once was. He has trouble pivoting.
But Erik Karlsson is still very much an elite player
- Rexypoo

Problem pivoting/mobility is very much of a problem for any d-man, let alone one who is making $11.5 mill for the next,what, seven years. Yikes!

Some of his speed is there, yes, but only when he picks his spots, which isn't that often anymore. I can just here you whining about his cost and lack of mobility if he were a Jet. If Chevy gave out that contract, you would nail Chevy to a cross!

Karlsson is now one of the most over-paid players in the league! $11.5 Million! He is not close to elite! At 30, is he likely to bounce back to his once super-star self?

This is incorrect.
He is over paid for what he is producing. Having 5 years left at his cost is horrible!! Clearly you haven’t watched him as he has slowed down to a Kyle Wellwoad pace.

And let’s dive into at least three key Dubas mistakes.

-Signed Taveras, who at the time was very good and is still good but not worth nearly what he’s making but most importantly was not what his team needed at all and now are stuck with that 11 million cap hit for 5 more years.

Traded away Kadri, lost the trade and made his team worse

Has now signed and overpaid Brodie, this contract will not age well, like possibly not even in its first year. Mark this one down!!

Bonus mistake,
Didn’t lock up Mathews long enough and walked him to UFA status.
- Ross77

The Tavares signing was just so unnecessary and once they signed him the Leafs cap flexibility was completely lost, Kadri was the cheapest 2C in the league, I'd much rather have Kadri at 2C and the $6.5M difference in cap space to work with.

One thing I'll say for Dubas though is at least he realizes he has to pay his stars and the players that put fans in the seats!

Scheifele hasn’t checked out. He’s been exposed. Same for Wheeler, and likely Stastny very soon. There’s nobody to get the puck out of our zone anymore, so the forwards get hemmed in. If that’s by design, you clear out the entire coaching staff immediately. We’re playing against our strengths to try and cover weaknesses, thus creating even further weaknesses without actually fixing any.

The bottom 6 fares better because they’re mostly comprised mostly of defensive players. They can tread water because of this.
The top 6 does not, because only Ehlers can keep rolling through it. Laine should not be leading rushes and back-checks multiple times in the same shift. Scheifele and Wheeler shouldn’t be stuck getting cycled in our end because there’s no breakout pass coming from anyone but the two of them.

There. Is. No. Transition.
Best defence is a good offence. We have neither.
We will not fix this without an overhaul of that blueline. We need to replace at least 3 members. 2 on the left side, one on the right. We have all 3 players here now in Heinola, Samberg, and Niku.
Morrissey, DeMelo, and Pionk can stay.
- Rexypoo

Its probably a bit of both getting exposed and checking out with Scheifele, he definitely has checked out somewhat, it's obvious in his play.
Father time catches up to every human but shifting a 33 year old winger to center couldn't of helped Wheeler's endurance any, only in Winnipeg would that be the first go to when your 2C is lost to a long term injury.

Did you not see the forwards going it alone often in the offensive zone with no puck support leading to lost possession(you're a fancy stat guy you should've noticed that!), endless line changes and forwards bailing on a forecheck to line change or support the D which leads to the opposition strolling out of their D zone often with no pressure on them, yeah that was by design and I know it doesn't work, like I said before they sacrificed offense for defense and it's really dumb and I'm well aware it doesn't make for any better defense. I agree the coaching staff should of been cleared out long ago but Maurice isn't going anywhere or I don't think he is anyway, I think ownership thinks very highly of him.

That is the problem with the bottom 6, all they do is tread water, need some damn contributions from those water treaders/time wasters, the best transition D in the league won't make a difference when you have two epic stonehands wasting 14+ minutes a game! It'd be WAY easier and cheaper to get some bottom 6 lineup improvements then top 4 dmen but nah, we keep rolling out the same plugs in Winnipeg to get the same mediocre results.

I agree the best defense is a good offense but Maurice isn't a coach for a high powered offense, the systems run by this 90's era coach won't ever work, don't care who the dmen are.

In my opinion, the main reason the Sharks went down was due to goaltending. We should know that, especially with how Hellebyuck took a below average defensive core and covered up the majority of their deficiencies by playing out of his mind.
- TheUltimateJet

I agree goaltending was the main contributor to the Sharks downfall but I also think they're just so top heavy with where their cap is allocated it leaves them with little depth, like you look at their top 6 and it's pretty solid but their bottom 6 are complete no names, they don't have the depth to survive a long term injury to Couture, Kane, Hertl, etc.

Problem pivoting/mobility is very much of a problem for any d-man, let alone one who is making $11.5 mill for the next,what, seven years. Yikes!

Some of his speed is there, yes, but only when he picks his spots, which isn't that often anymore. I can just here you whining about his cost and lack of mobility if he were a Jet. If Chevy gave out that contract, you would nail Chevy to a cross!

Karlsson is now one of the most over-paid players in the league! $11.5 Million! He is not close to elite! At 30, is he likely to bounce back to his once super-star self?
- grahamzky

Actually, part of Karlsson’s problem right now is that he’s playing too aggressively. Trying to do too much. He’s picking more spots than he should.
Do you watch him play?

No one will talk about him in ten years, he will be forgotten quickly.
- Ross77

He’s very realistically the best right shooting defenceman ever.
Norris perennials aren’t often forgotten, either. This goes double for the winners.

This is incorrect.
He is over paid for what he is producing. Having 5 years left at his cost is horrible!! Clearly you haven’t watched him as he has slowed down to a Kyle Wellwoad pace.

And let’s dive into at least three key Dubas mistakes.

-Signed Taveras, who at the time was very good and is still good but not worth nearly what he’s making but most importantly was not what his team needed at all and now are stuck with that 11 million cap hit for 5 more years.

Traded away Kadri, lost the trade and made his team worse

Has now signed and overpaid Brodie, this contract will not age well, like possibly not even in its first year. Mark this one down!!

Bonus mistake,
Didn’t lock up Mathews long enough and walked him to UFA status.
- Ross77

-Signing Tavares gave them a Crosby/Malkin level tandem witnessed on most Cup winning teams.
It was the right call, and having an elite centre who drives an entire line to 1st line results by himself AWAY from your other even better centre is always good business

- The Kadri trade was a worthwhile risk, and most people thought it was fair at the time. Barrie wasn’t bad, he just didn’t bounce back like they’d hoped, and he lost his defensive game entirely. Kerfoot is a very good 3C as is, and not as expensive as Kadri or Barrie.
Kadri is still much better, but it’s not as big an L as you’re implying.

- You are the only person who considers Brodie overrated or overpaid. His results speak for themselves. There’s a reason Giordano had his best hockey next to Brodie.

Its probably a bit of both getting exposed and checking out with Scheifele, he definitely has checked out somewhat, it's obvious in his play.
Father time catches up to every human but shifting a 33 year old winger to center couldn't of helped Wheeler's endurance any, only in Winnipeg would that be the first go to when your 2C is lost to a long term injury.

Did you not see the forwards going it alone often in the offensive zone with no puck support leading to lost possession(you're a fancy stat guy you should've noticed that!), endless line changes and forwards bailing on a forecheck to line change or support the D which leads to the opposition strolling out of their D zone often with no pressure on them, yeah that was by design and I know it doesn't work, like I said before they sacrificed offense for defense and it's really dumb and I'm well aware it doesn't make for any better defense. I agree the coaching staff should of been cleared out long ago but Maurice isn't going anywhere or I don't think he is anyway, I think ownership thinks very highly of him.

That is the problem with the bottom 6, all they do is tread water, need some damn contributions from those water treaders/time wasters, the best transition D in the league won't make a difference when you have two epic stonehands wasting 14+ minutes a game! It'd be WAY easier and cheaper to get some bottom 6 lineup improvements then top 4 dmen but nah, we keep rolling out the same plugs in Winnipeg to get the same mediocre results.

I agree the best defense is a good offense but Maurice isn't a coach for a high powered offense, the systems run by this 90's era coach won't ever work, don't care who the dmen are.
- JetFuel

I think we’re discussing two different varieties of issues.
All of the things you’re describing are systemic, not personnel based. We could have 6 Hedmans, and still have possession issues if we’re playing dump and chase, making strange line change choices, and not shooting enough. That’s Maurice and Co.
The puck getting stuck in our end for huge periods of time is on the defence not having the skill, mobility, or intelligence to stop the cycle and move the puck out

I agree goaltending was the main contributor to the Sharks downfall but I also think they're just so top heavy with where their cap is allocated it leaves them with little depth, like you look at their top 6 and it's pretty solid but their bottom 6 are complete no names, they don't have the depth to survive a long term injury to Couture, Kane, Hertl, etc.
- JetFuel

I guess they are like the Winnipeg Jets in that sense. If Scheifele gets injured, the Jets fail to generate any offence.

No one will talk about him in ten years, he will be forgotten quickly.
- Ross77

I think most players get forgotten quickly. Lidstrom retired about 10 years ago and he's rarely mentioned, except probably in Detroit. Probably one of the best defensemen ever. Also, don't hear much about Lindros or Forsberg much either. Those are just three examples I thought of in 10 seconds. Could think of plenty more.

I think we’re discussing two different varieties of issues.
All of the things you’re describing are systemic, not personnel based. We could have 6 Hedmans, and still have possession issues if we’re playing dump and chase, making strange line change choices, and not shooting enough. That’s Maurice and Co.
The puck getting stuck in our end for huge periods of time is on the defence not having the skill, mobility, or intelligence to stop the cycle and move the puck out
- Rexypoo

This is a good post. Look at the Kings system. Play a possession heavy game with less talented players. Jets seem to have challenges going up against teams like LA. In my opinion, if the Jets played the same system as LA, we may challenging for the Cup every year, especially considering that we have a tone of firepower on this team.

Unfortunately in my opinion we have an archaic coach playing an outdated system. As long as uncle Paul is here, the Jets will be a mediocre team.

Actually, part of Karlsson’s problem right now is that he’s playing too aggressively. Trying to do too much. He’s picking more spots than he should.
Do you watch him play?
- Rexypoo

Yea obviously I watch him play, wouldn't comment otherwise!

Strangely I agree, He is playing too aggressive, not what his strength is. Trying to make his $11.5 contract seem worthy. Picking his spots more than he should, getting wiser and older.

Just as an example, I would take M. Sergachev and his $4.8 mill contract over Karlsson's $11.5 (six-seven years) any day. It's not hindsight, Karlsson was struggling before he got the big $$$ on San Jose!

Ottawa were not blind, though Karlsson's fans seem to be.

Yea obviously I watch him play, wouldn't comment otherwise!

Strangely I agree, He is playing too aggressive, not what his strength is. Trying to make his $11.5 contract seem worthy. Picking his spots more than he should, getting wiser and older.

Just as an example, I would take M. Sergachev and his $4.8 mill contract over Karlsson's $11.5 (six-seven years) any day. It's not hindsight, Karlsson was struggling before he got the big $$$ on San Jose!

Ottawa were not blind, though Karlsson's fans seem to be.
- grahamzky

Karlsson was definitely struggling when he first arrived in San Jose. He wasn’t right for a while after that surgery.
BUT he also had his numbers recover almost completely by the end of the season. He wasn’t struggling by then, he was just an incredible player with a new weakness he didn’t use to have

This is a good post. Look at the Kings system. Play a possession heavy game with less talented players. Jets seem to have challenges going up against teams like LA. In my opinion, if the Jets played the same system as LA, we may challenging for the Cup every year, especially considering that we have a tone of firepower on this team.

Unfortunately in my opinion we have an archaic coach playing an outdated system. As long as uncle Paul is here, the Jets will be a mediocre team.
- TheUltimateJet

We should be playing like the 2009-10 Capitals.
Instead we’re trying to be the Oates Era Capitals, right down to the drowning of a generational shooter

Karlsson was definitely struggling when he first arrived in San Jose. He wasn’t right for a while after that surgery.
BUT he also had his numbers recover almost completely by the end of the season. He wasn’t struggling by then, he was just an incredible player with a new weakness he didn’t use to have
- Rexypoo

But that's the thing, he's NOT an incredible player anymore, just a run of the mill player, or just above average, making $11 mill a season. But that's not his fault that the Sharks closed their eyes on what they were seeing and gave him $4 mill more per season than they should have for multi years. Good on Erik.

Really must be hard to play when you are severely overpaid - especially if you play in a Canadian vity.

I cheer for Erik - he looked like a Pee Wee player - a cocky one - when drafted, but he proved until injury, that he could walk the talk. I was devastated by the needless dirty injury.

But that's the thing, he's NOT an incredible player anymore, just a run of the mill player, or just above average, making $11 mill a season. But that's not his fault that the Sharks closed their eyes on what they were seeing and gave him $4 mill more per season than they should have for multi years. Good on Erik.

Really must be hard to play when you are severely overpaid - especially if you play in a Canadian vity.

I cheer for Erik - he looked like a Pee Wee player - a cocky one - when drafted, but he proved until injury, that he could walk the talk. I was devastated by the needless dirty injury.
- grahamzky

You would be making an excellent argument if you had anything to back it up.
His numbers were top shelf. He was excellent last season. Among the very best. Just not THE best

We should be playing like the 2009-10 Capitals.
Instead we’re trying to be the Oates Era Capitals, right down to the drowning of a generational shooter
- Rexypoo

The drowning of a generational shooter who needs others to put it right in his "sweet" spot - and then hope that he hits the net?