I would rather that they do that too. And than a year or two in the AHL to build his confidence further. I want them to take their time with him to truly build a bonafide #1 defenseman out of him.
- FlyersSteve118

Exactly. They should let him work on his offense. He still needs to work on his defense as well. He can get better at turning his hips to defend the rush.

I just don't want to bring him up too soon and force him to be a defensive defenseman. I would like to see him get a chance to improve his offensive game and gain confidence.

If you watch Karlsson play, he leaves his team vulnerable quite a bit. He's always thinking offense. Guys like Pietrangelo and Keith could put up points like Karlsson if they played aggressively like him.
- PhillySportsGuy

I watch almost every Sens game, a lot of them live. Offensively, Karlsson is easily the best d-man. Defensively, he has become much better in his own zone. He doesn't always leave his team vulnerable. The beat writers and sports talk radio up here have actually talked about how they notice Erik has been playing back more often than previous years. See my other post about if Karlsson played for Chicago or the Blues, and Keith or AP played for the Sens.

Agreed with the poster about how we need a separate award for highest scoring defenseman, like the Art Ross and Maurice Richard trophies.

who is they? who is he?
- wilsonecho91

"They" would be the defensemen they drafted. "He" is Morin, the man being discussed in all of these "PLAY HIM NEXT YEAR" discussions.

That's the thing. It's like whether you want the 1989 Steve Yzerman who scored 155 points but was one-dimensional, or do you want the 1997 Steve Yzerman who scored 85 points but was a fantastic 2-way player? Karlsson is like Mike Green, just another forward who doesn't really play defense.

Also, my 160% biased pick is Shea Weber.
- jmatchett383

I wouldn't mind if he finished third behind Keith and Pietrangelo. He's bounced back and had a great season.

Ignore me
- Giroux_Is_God

Done and Done.

I think he takes too many risks. I don't think he's capable of shutting down a top line. I will say that Pietrangelo and Keith both play with an all star level player as a partner.
- PhillySportsGuy

They also play with much higher quality teams that Karlsson. Ottawa stinks, Blues and Hawks are Cup favs.

I think that we still have 9 games to play him in the NHL before it burns a year on his entry level contract so there is no downside to trying him out and seeing how he performs.
- FlyersSteve118

The 9 game tryout is only applicable for the beginning of the year, and it can be done multiple years in the player's junior career (see Mark Schieffle). However, I believe that he can have a tryout with the team at the end of his junior season a la Ryan Parent is 06/07. But there's no limit of games he can play after his season is over (much like Chris Kreider did in 11-12).

Done and Done.
- wolfhounds

It's not like I need to tell you people

I watch almost every Sens game, a lot of them live. Offensively, Karlsson is easily the best d-man. Defensively, he has become much better in his own zone. He doesn't always leave his team vulnerable. The beat writers and sports talk radio up here have actually talked about how they notice Erik has been playing back more often than previous years. See my other post about if Karlsson played for Chicago or the Blues, and Keith or AP played for the Sens.

Agreed with the poster about how we need a separate award for highest scoring defenseman, like the Art Ross and Maurice Richard trophies.
- Rocktane

That was me too

I think he has improved. I just don't think he's a shutdown guy yet. His offense is outstanding and I don't think any defenseman is close in that department.

I'm not saying Karlsson is some overrated guy who plays one-way hockey. I'm saying I wouldn't put him on my top 3 for this season.

I don't think he could match what Pietrangelo does, but I think he could come close to Keith. Even with improvements, I don't think he's as good defensively as Keith.

The 9 game tryout is only applicable for the beginning of the year, and it can be done multiple years in the player's junior career (see Mark Schieffle). However, I believe that he can have a tryout with the team at the end of his junior season a la Ryan Parent is 06/07. But there's no limit of games he can play after his season is over (much like Chris Kreider did).
- jmatchett383

Oh ok. Thats even better. At what point do we get a chance to see him than? When is his season over?

That's the thing. It's like whether you want the 1989 Steve Yzerman who scored 155 points but was one-dimensional, or do you want the 1997 Steve Yzerman who scored 85 points but was a fantastic 2-way player? Karlsson is like Mike Green, just another forward who doesn't really play defense.

Also, my 160% biased pick is Shea Weber.
- jmatchett383

Wow, just wow. I assume you watch him play regularly to assess his play? And by regularly, I mean more than the games against Philly, and on highlight packs.

That was me too

I think he has improved. I just don't think he's a shutdown guy yet. His offense is outstanding and I don't think any defenseman is close in that department.

I'm not saying Karlsson is some overrated guy who plays one-way hockey. I'm saying I wouldn't put him on my top 3 for this season.

I don't think he could match what Pietrangelo does, but I think he could come close to Keith. Even with improvements, I don't think he's as good defensively as Keith.
- PhillySportsGuy

I wish we had any of the defensemen that will be top 5 in Norris voting...

I watch almost every Sens game, a lot of them live. Offensively, Karlsson is easily the best d-man. Defensively, he has become much better in his own zone. He doesn't always leave his team vulnerable. The beat writers and sports talk radio up here have actually talked about how they notice Erik has been playing back more often than previous years. See my other post about if Karlsson played for Chicago or the Blues, and Keith or AP played for the Sens.

Agreed with the poster about how we need a separate award for highest scoring defenseman, like the Art Ross and Maurice Richard trophies.
- Rocktane

It just makes sense...

I wish we had any of the defensemen that will be top 5 in Norris voting...
- Rocktane

Don't worry the flyers will throw a 9mil/year offer sheet at PK Subban next year. I think most agree he would be about #5 this year in the Norris Race.

I watch almost every Sens game, a lot of them live. Offensively, Karlsson is easily the best d-man. Defensively, he has become much better in his own zone. He doesn't always leave his team vulnerable. The beat writers and sports talk radio up here have actually talked about how they notice Erik has been playing back more often than previous years. See my other post about if Karlsson played for Chicago or the Blues, and Keith or AP played for the Sens.

Agreed with the poster about how we need a separate award for highest scoring defenseman, like the Art Ross and Maurice Richard trophies.
- Rocktane

I'll take Keith's 53 points (dude has 50 assists!) and all-around game (shot blocking, physical, leadership) and plus-23 rating (granted, Chicago) over Karlsson's 8 more points and relatively one-dimensional game (relative to Keith) and minus-15 rating (granted, Ottawa).

I wish we had any of the defensemen that will be top 5 in Norris voting...
- Rocktane

Yea. We all would. At least Giroux will be in the Hart discussion. He won't win, but his name will be discussed.

Don't worry the flyers will throw a 9mil/year offer sheet at PK Subban next year. I think most agree he would be about #5 this year in the Norris Race.
- FlyersSteve118

I would put him 3rd. He's a stud. I really like Subban. He's still a little too emotional, but I'd rather have a guy like that than a guy who plays without enough emotion

Yea. We all would. At least Giroux will be in the Hart discussion. He won't win, but his name will be discussed.
- PhillySportsGuy

This is also accurate if you change Giroux to Berube and Hart to Jack Adams

Wow, just wow. I assume you watch him play regularly to assess his play? And by regularly, I mean more than the games against Philly, and on highlight packs.
- Rocktane

No, but I have watched his last few playoff years regularly (NYR, Mon, Pit) and came to that conclusion.

I'll take Keith's 53 points (dude has 50 assists!) and all-around game (shot blocking, physical, leadership) and plus-23 rating (granted, Chicago) over Karlsson's 8 more points and relatively one-dimensional game (relative to Keith) and minus-15 rating (granted, Ottawa).
- jmatchett383

I think Karlsson has improved defensively. I just wouldn't put him ahead of Keith yet.

I think its clear he's made a concerted effort to get better in that department.

What makes you think that. They signed him to a contract so obviously they still see a place for him in the orginization. As long as when he heals he still has his speed, he would be a great 4th line shutdown guy that can contribute. Kind of like Boom-Boom Powe.
- SchennBros

http://articles.philly.co...lty-kill-tendons-phantoms

Don't worry the flyers will throw a 9mil/year offer sheet at PK Subban next year. I think most agree he would be about #5 this year in the Norris Race.
- FlyersSteve118

That's not a bad deal for a long contract to lock up a top defenseman who is still quite young, especially if somebody like Niskanen is going to command something like $6mm per.

This is also accurate if you change Giroux to Berube and Hart to Jack Adams
- Giroux_Is_God

Yeah. I think it's Roy's to lose but Berube will be considered.

That's not a bad deal for a long contract to lock up a top defenseman who is still quite young, especially if somebody like Niskanen is going to command something like $6mm per.
- wolfhounds

+4 first round picks. He's restricted.

I'll take Keith's 53 points (dude has 50 assists!) and all-around game (shot blocking, physical, leadership) and plus-23 rating (granted, Chicago) over Karlsson's 8 more points and relatively one-dimensional game (relative to Keith) and minus-15 rating (granted, Ottawa).
- jmatchett383

If you asked me to build a team from scratch, and I had the option to take either Karlsson at age 23 and with 17 goals, or Keith at age 30 with his 50 assists, I take Karlsson everyday of the week. If the Sens ever get better as a team, within the next 10 years, you'll see Karlsson be a +35 easily.