Absolutely

Denis Potvin and Paul Coffey were both all offense and weak defensively when they first entered the league. Potvin worked at his game and became one of the best and most complete dmen of all time. Coffey, while amazingly skilled and dangerous offensively, remained a defensively liability his entire career.

The jury is still out on Karlsson, right now I'd take Keith, Weber, Suter, Chara and probably a few others over him, but in a few more years, who knows?
- BiggE

My comparison would be Gonchar. His defense really improved as he got older. Most people saw him exclusively as an offensive defenseman. He anchored the Pens blue line during their best season with Crosby and Malkin.

If he had a decent start to the season he would be all alone in second place in scoring. Probably within 10 points or less of Crosby.

He's got to be in consideration for the Hart trophy.
- PLindbergh31

If Crosby wouldn't let Giroux play for team Canada, then why would he let him be in consideration for the Hart?

Absolutely

Denis Potvin and Paul Coffey were both all offense and weak defensively when they first entered the league. Potvin worked at his game and became one of the best and most complete dmen of all time. Coffey, while amazingly skilled and dangerous offensively, remained a defensively liability his entire career.

The jury is still out on Karlsson, right now I'd take Keith, Weber, Suter, Chara and probably a few others over him, but in a few more years, who knows?
- BiggE

I agree 100%. Karlsson may one day become a complete defender who plays big minutes in all situations and who you want out there in the final minute defending a lead. But right now, he's not, and that's why I picked Keith for this year's Norris.

Hopefully they pay back the Stars tomorrow night. The game in Dallas was on of their worst performances of the year.
- PLindbergh31

It makes me more confident knowing the Stars embarrassed them the first time around.

Such an advantage to have home ice agains the Stars. Matchups will be crucial against that top line.

My comparison would be Gonchar. His defense really improved as he got older. Most people saw him exclusively as an offensive defenseman. He anchored the Pens blue line during their best season with Crosby and Malkin.
- PhillySportsGuy

Must I show you highlights from the 2009 ECQF Game 3?

If Crosby wouldn't let Giroux play for team Canada, then why would he let him be in consideration for the Hart?
- SchennBros

With the way Giroux is playing now, selfishly I'm glad he didn't make the Olympic team.

Stop making sense.
- Tomahawk

Ok. Schenn, Couts, Morin, Laughton, Timonen, Coburn, Carle for Byfuglien, Yandle and E Kane

Pens had injuries.
Hawks didn't play their best.

Fools gold I tell you!
- jmatchett383

Very happy with these 6 points. I'm cautiously optomistic. But its a tough road, and if they lose to boston and St.Louis and Dallas then people might be saying exactly that.

Must I show you highlights from the 2009 ECQF Game 3?
- jmatchett383

He wasn't Lidstrom, but you have to admit his defense got a lot better over the years. He was the defenseman version of Ovechkin. You didn't know who was going to score, but when he was on the ice, someone would.

Ok. Schenn, Couts, Morin, Laughton, Timonen, Coburn, Carle for Byfuglien, Yandle and E Kane
- PhillySportsGuy

What about Yakupov? We need that all-world sniper!

He wasn't Lidstrom, but you have to admit his defense got a lot better over the years. He was the defenseman version of Ovechkin. You didn't know who was going to score, but when he was on the ice, someone would.
- PhillySportsGuy

haha, I can get behind that.

It makes me more confident knowing the Stars embarrassed them the first time around.

Such an advantage to have home ice agains the Stars. Matchups will be crucial against that top line.
- PhillySportsGuy

Stars are playing terribly right now. With the Kings, Blues, and Rags on the horizon I'm hoping it's not a trap game. You would think being the Stars embarrassed them in Dallas, they would bring their A game.

What about Yakupov? We need that all-world sniper!
- jmatchett383

Heatley

Stars are playing terribly right now. With the Kings, Blues, and Rags on the horizon I'm hoping it's not a trap game. You would think being the Stars embarrassed them in Dallas, they would bring their A game.
- PLindbergh31

Points are too critical. They need to take every game seriously until they're locked in to a playoff spot. Its crunch time.

What about Yakupov? We need that all-world sniper!
- jmatchett383

Outside of a number 1 d-man, I think a sniper is the only thing missing from our offense.

Outside of a number 1 d-man, I think a sniper is the only thing missing from our offense.
- SchennBros

They have 7 players with 15+ goals. I'm not sure how much more scoring they need.

New one up

My comparison would be Gonchar. His defense really improved as he got older. Most people saw him exclusively as an offensive defenseman. He anchored the Pens blue line during their best season with Crosby and Malkin.
- PhillySportsGuy

If Karlsson hasn't already, when he has his Yzerman/Modano moment, I think he'll be every bit as good as Duncan Keith defensively, and still bring the O big time. He needs to get away from MacLean, though... that group doesn't seem to have enough positional structure... they give and take a ton of shots.

If Karlsson hasn't already, when he has his Yzerman/Modano moment, I think he'll be every bit as good as Duncan Keith defensively, and still bring the O big time. He needs to get away from MacLean, though... that group doesn't seem to have enough positional structure... they give and take a ton of shots.
- Tomahawk

We'll take this to the next blog.

St. Louis is still looking for his first goal as a Ranger? 8 games in he only has 3 assists. He's not paying dividends for them at all.

I will admit I've been a bit of a naysayer at times but man o man this team is coming together faster than I thought possible. And after some deep self reflection I'll admit I'm not trading coots for anything. Not weber, chara, Keith nothing. This guys just a complete beast.

Duncan Keith is flat out awesome. He can do it all. There was a debate yesterday over choosing Keith or Karlsson. No brainer for me. Keith all the way.
- MJL

doughty

St. Louis is still looking for his first goal as a Ranger? 8 games in he only has 3 assists. He's not paying dividends for them at all.
- PLindbergh31

Remind you of someone?

Remind you of someone?


- tangent_man

Is that the Dracula looking guy the Capitals keep behind their bench?

Is that the Dracula looking guy the Capitals keep behind their bench?
- BulliesPhan87

Ol' Pastey? Yep.