I've explained it to you, and you STILL can't piece it together? Are you embarrassed at all?
- prock

you've explained nothing troll, and everyone reading your mistake knows that.

Happy trolling.

glad we moved on from the "nearly 20 years" debate to something more meaningful

He should be considered by the PHWA, but I doubt he'll get enough votes to win. I think Weber will win.
- Doppleganger

But generally speaking, has Karlsson played at a level commensurate with being called the best defenseman in the league this year?

And why do you think Weber will win?

But generally speaking, has Karlsson played at a level commensurate with being called the best defenseman in the league this year?

And why do you think Weber will win?
- Morris

Paul Coffey has won a Norris, so there is no reason Karlsson can't. But this year I feel it's going to be Weber.

Why? Because he'll get the most first place votes.

Both Players bring a different skill set to each of those teams, and are just as an important piece to their team's "puzzle" as the other.

Paul Coffey has won a Norris, so there is no reason Karlsson can't. But this year I feel it's going to be Weber.

Why? Because he'll get the most first place votes.

Both Players bring a different skill set to each of those teams, and are just as an important piece to their team's "puzzle" as the other.
- Doppleganger

ive always wondered about these super-offensive defenseman... like if they've ever played forward (in high level leagues) and if their nhl teams would ever consider moving them there.

just makes you wonder what kind of numbers karlsson would be putting up if he played wing.

ive always wondered about these super-offensive defenseman... like if they've ever played forward (in high level leagues) and if their nhl teams would ever consider moving them there.

just makes you wonder what kind of numbers karlsson would be putting up if he played wing.
- Crimsoninja

Meh, it generally doesn't work that way. Generating offense from the backend is so different than from the wing. Some can handle it both ways, some can't. Obviously I don't play in the NHL (anymore), but I find as a Dman, making that breakout pass, or that pass as you're moving up the ice, and have everyone ahead of you, is VERY different than trying to find someone as you're racing up ice, and your centre and other winger are beside or behind you.

Meh, it generally doesn't work that way. Generating offense from the backend is so different than from the wing. Some can handle it both ways, some can't. Obviously I don't play in the NHL (anymore), but I find as a Dman, making that breakout pass, or that pass as you're moving up the ice, and have everyone ahead of you, is VERY different than trying to find someone as you're racing up ice, and your centre and other winger are beside or behind you.
- prock

ya definitely.. totally different styles. just fun to ponder.

only one that really comes to mind is Buff going from d to winger (in chicago).

as for the opposite, Mark Howe switching from scoring winger in the whl to HOF offensive dman in the nhl.

ive always wondered about these super-offensive defenseman... like if they've ever played forward (in high level leagues) and if their nhl teams would ever consider moving them there.

just makes you wonder what kind of numbers karlsson would be putting up if he played wing.
- Crimsoninja

It's two completely different positions. Karlsson has great vision and makes great passes out of his zone. He also has a great ability to rush up the ice, and pass to the "trailer"...........things he couldn't do as a winger.

He gets caught "up the ice" often, but just as Coffey did, has great speed and gets back into position even when you thinks he'll never get back.

Also he has an incredibly quick release and shot from the point that he could not use if forechecking as a forward.

ya definitely.. totally different styles. just fun to ponder.

only one that really comes to mind is Buff going from d to winger (in chicago).

as for the opposite, Mark Howe switching from scoring winger in the whl to HOF offensive dman in the nhl.
- Crimsoninja

There are a few that have made the transition back and forth. Fedorov was not only capable of playing D, but filled in for stretches for more than one team as a first line Dman. He played about 30 games toward the end of one season, as a Dman, for Columbus one year, when they hit injuries. Wendel Clark played D his entire life, until the day he was drafted, and the Leafs made him a winger. Brent Burns started as a Dman as a kid, played wing in the OHL, back to D after being drafted, and while he has primarily played D for the Wild, he's played wing for them for a few stints.

They're out there.

There are a few that have made the transition back and forth. Fedorov was not only capable of playing D, but filled in for stretches for more than one team as a first line Dman. He played about 30 games toward the end of one season, as a Dman, for Columbus one year, when they hit injuries. Wendel Clark played D his entire life, until the day he was drafted, and the Leafs made him a winger. Brent Burns started as a Dman as a kid, played wing in the OHL, back to D after being drafted, and while he has primarily played D for the Wild, he's played wing for them for a few stints.

They're out there.
- prock

still kills me that Sami Kapanen had to play D for the Flyers during their run in '04

There are a few that have made the transition back and forth. Fedorov was not only capable of playing D, but filled in for stretches for more than one team as a first line Dman. He played about 30 games toward the end of one season, as a Dman, for Columbus one year, when they hit injuries. Wendel Clark played D his entire life, until the day he was drafted, and the Leafs made him a winger. Brent Burns started as a Dman as a kid, played wing in the OHL, back to D after being drafted, and while he has primarily played D for the Wild, he's played wing for them for a few stints.

They're out there.
- prock

I feel more comfortable with a Karlsson-sized defenseman than a Karlsson-sized forward - he looks very squishable... at least from the back end he has more of a chance to move the puck and protect himself...

Then again, Martin St. Louis is no hulk either... I dunno...

I feel more comfortable with a Karlsson-sized defenseman than a Karlsson-sized forward - he looks very squishable... at least from the back end he has more of a chance to move the puck and protect himself...

Then again, Martin St. Louis is no hulk either... I dunno...
- Mr_Squeaks

If it's the Bruins, you know the Karlsson has already had the "Lucic freight train" nightmares.

He'll be target #1 for all forecheckers.

ive always wondered about these super-offensive defenseman... like if they've ever played forward (in high level leagues) and if their nhl teams would ever consider moving them there.

just makes you wonder what kind of numbers karlsson would be putting up if he played wing.
- Crimsoninja

Same here. I've always wanted to see Phaneuf on RW.

Same here. I've always wanted to see Phaneuf on RW.
- bureforearthsprez

Too slow.

Too slow.
- mfreedman

Honestly speed is more important on the back end. He would make a good power forward IMO.

Karlsson has taken one NHL face-off (which he lost) and played wing for one disastrous period.

The thing is, his production isn't just coming from his skill in the offensive zone (although obviously that's a big part of it). He's the best puck-moving defenceman in the league and his vision up the ice (combined with his ability to rush the puck if need be) generates an incredible number of scoring chances. So using him at forward would actually be a waste of his offensive talent.

Housley or leetch not orr
- senstroll

This. Orr, that's sacrilege

(I know, late, but I HAD to say something)

Honestly speed is more important on the back end. He would make a good power forward IMO.
- bureforearthsprez

He could actually in Carlyle's system, I was more thinking of the old poopty speed first system. Who knows, could be the best thing for him as I hate him as a defenceman.

This. Orr, that's sacrilege

(I know, late, but I HAD to say something)
- Mr_Clean

Thank you.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=625626

TSN's Brent Wallace reports that Erik Karlsson, Zdano Chara and Shea Weber are the finalists for the Norris. The winner will be announced at the 2012 NHL Awards show on June 20.

I don't even think he should be nominated. Why should they consider that he can't play D, in terms of winning it, but ignore it for a nomination?
- prock

As far as I'm concerned, being poor defensively, for the trophy as the best Dman in the league, is a show stopper.
- prock

They will likely also favour players that can play D.
- prock

Well it's not. And not being able to play D is a pretty big flaw for a Dman.
- prock

And they also take notice when players can't play defense.
- prock

I'm pretty sure when see Karlssons name in trophy talks, its always mentioned as a reason he isn't being considered, so I'm not sure why you think nobody worries about dmen defending.
- prock

Seems that the PHWA didn't agree with a hate filled leaf fan's ramblings.

Seems that the PHWA didn't agree with a hate filled leaf fan's ramblings.

- Doppleganger

That Norris candidates should be good defensive players? I guess they don't.

That Norris candidates should be good defensive players? I guess they don't.
- prock

All three Norris finalists ARE good defensive players, otherwise they would have not receive the votes required to be in the final three.

Perhaps you hatred of everything Ottawa has clouded your objectivity.

All three Norris finalists ARE good defensive players, otherwise they would have not receive the votes required to be in the final three.

Perhaps you hatred of everything Ottawa has clouded your objectivity.
- Doppleganger

Which one is the best defensive player?