I have no issue with those who rank Karlsson 1 and Letang 2.... and yes he plays with Malkin/Crosby... that being said Letang is as talented an offensive d man as there is... watch more Pens games!
- Brianandr1

Right after Karrlson and Suban.

I got it off a dead guy at the crematorium.
- John Jaeckel

I think if you look at my list versus the others, you will see I put defense first, or at least being as important as what the guy contributes offensively. I like Karlsson, absolutely, but . . .
- John Jaeckel

I think the argument here is Karlsson does not have to spend as much time playing defense because he is so dominant offensively. That being said I can see why you would prioritize your list in such a way, but personally there is no way Karlsson is not a top 5 defenseman.

I think the argument here is Karlsson does not have to spend as much time playing defense because he is so dominant offensively. That being said I can see why you would prioritize your list in such a way, but personally there is no way Karlsson is not a top 5 defenseman.
- Mordecai

More importantly would be Weber and Suter aren't even the best dmen on their own teams. No way they're top 10 in the league.

I think if you look at my list versus the others, you will see I put defense first, or at least being as important as what the guy contributes offensively. I like Karlsson, absolutely, but . . .
- John Jaeckel

Absolutely! I was just preempting the people that I assumed would show up, blasting the notion of putting Karlsson in the top-5 for defensemen.

You can say that Karlsson isn't top-5 defensively in the league, and you'd obviously be right. However, I don't think it's ludicrous to say that Karlsson is one of the 5 best players (and probably 3 best) who happen to play defence, so anyone can disagree with placing him near or at the top of the list, but only because they weigh criteria differently (as you did).

All the other panelists put Karlsson at the top, so I was preemptively defending them. Although, oddly, they seem to be taking less heat than I'd have thought

I think the argument here is Karlsson does not have to spend as much time playing defense because he is so dominant offensively. That being said I can see why you would prioritize your list in such a way, but personally there is no way Karlsson is not a top 5 defenseman.
- Mordecai

Karlsson is a top 5 player in the league.

More importantly would be Weber and Suter aren't even the best dmen on their own teams. No way they're top 10 in the league.
- jfkst1

The guys John listed are probably all better than Karlsson defensively, but Karlsson is an all-around better player.

More importantly would be Weber and Suter aren't even the best dmen on their own teams. No way they're top 10 in the league.
- jfkst1

And yet JJ was the only one who even mentioned Josi... Bloody shame!

Although, I guess the track record isn't quite as long as some others in his case... But then, it isn't for Hedman either, so...

The guys John listed are probably all better than Karlsson defensively, but Karlsson is an all-around better player.
- TheCalSen

By "best" I think of most likely to help the team win.

Karlsson is a top 5 player in the league.
- TheCalSen

Yah i agree.

More importantly would be Weber and Suter aren't even the best dmen on their own teams. No way they're top 10 in the league.
- jfkst1

Fo sho.

Right after Karrlson and Suban.
- Jeropotato

SubBan yes very good... not better on O then Letang and Karlsson ad why are you giving JJ such a hard time? Wherever you rank Keith he's top 3 without question!

Karlsson is a top 5 player in the league.
- TheCalSen

Yeah....No. By posistion ok.

Karlsson is a top 5 player in the league.
- TheCalSen

Nope.

Yeah....No. By posistion ok.
- blacksheep1

No other defenseman/player in the league comes close to doing what he does consistently. That is top 5 material imo.

Karlsson is a top 5 player in the league.
- TheCalSen

Crosby, Toews, Ovie, Tavares, Malkin, Stamkos, Perry, Getzlaf, Koptiar, keith...I don't think so! Maybe top 15 because he's not better then any of these names.. No one not from Ottawa is over any of these names!!! We could add Hank to that list too... he's slightly better then Karlsson in the big spot

SubBan yes very good... not better on O then Letang and Karlsson ad why are you giving JJ such a hard time? Wherever you rank Keith he's top 3 without question!
- Brianandr1

This whole post is a train wreck....and I give JJ a hard time because he at least has some humour to him, can take a joke, and not get too butthurt. He's OK in my books.

Crosby, Toews, Ovie, Tavares, Malkin, Stamkos, Perry, Getzlaf, Koptiar, keith...I don't think so! Maybe top 15 because he's not better then any of these names..
- Brianandr1

Karlsson is as good as everyone on that list except for Crosby, Ovechkin and Toews.

And yet JJ was the only one who even mentioned Josi... Bloody shame!

Although, I guess the track record isn't quite as long as some others in his case... But then, it isn't for Hedman either, so...
- Mr_Clean

Overshadowed by Weber.

But man, he can move the puck like no other...well, one exception.

Karlsson is as good as everyone on that list except for Crosby, Ovechkin and Toews.
- TheCalSen

If you say so....I suppose we should just take your opinion as the gospel because.......wait, why should we take your opinion as the gospel again?

Karlsson is as good as everyone on that list except for Crosby, Ovechkin and Toews.
- TheCalSen

Trophies? Malkin 2 art ross, a hart and a conn smyth... (a cup to)... more Points per game... on any metric your incorrect!(offensively)

Karlsson over Taveres???? Really???? He's great ... he's not these two guys!

Keith>>Karlsson

And every other name listed...

If you say so....I suppose we should just take your opinion as the gospel because.......wait, why should we take your opinion as the gospel again?
- Jeropotato

That's the beauty of this whole bs. You don't have to. It's my opinion.

This whole post is a train wreck....and I give JJ a hard time because he at least has some humour to him, can take a joke, and not get too butthurt. He's OK in my books.
- Jeropotato

Trophies? Malkin 2 art ross, a hart and a conn smyth... (a cup to)... more Points per game... on any metric your incorrect!

Karlsson over Taveres???? Really???? He's great ... he's not these two guys!
- Brianandr1

Look at who Malkin plays with. Karlsson plays with lesser talent and is still just as dominant. His advanced statistics are unbelievable as well.

Trophies? Malkin 2 art ross, a hart and a conn smyth... (a cup to)... more Points per game... on any metric your incorrect!(offensively)

Karlsson over Taveres???? Really???? He's great ... he's not these two guys!

Keith>>Karlsson

And every other name listed...
- Brianandr1

Individual trophies mean nothing when its a team sport and the individual is playing for a Championship team.