He's a complete trainwreck in his own zone, probably getting worse. He'll get Norris votes every year, but he's the definition of one-dimensional.
- djamon

Not true at all. He's isn't a train wreck in his own end, he's obviously not a defensive gem but it helps that he always move the puck out is controlling the play when he's on the ice and does way more good then bad. I would happily take the great offensive plays he makes every game all game over the few defensive lapses. You clearly don't watch him ever so this comment is pointless.

According to you Lou is playing way above his head and is only decent. Reimer is a good goalie, and his average is better than most goalies. I wouldn't say you have that completely backwards, but its pretty damn close. Reimer is playing way above his head, i't not saying he is bad, but he is in no way an upgrade over Rinne.
- BatFan88

RINNE has been brutal. Reimer definitely an upgrade. Luango is awesome.

Today @ 2:41 PM ET
Re: +/-

Like anything else, James, it's all about context. When a defenseman is -4 in a single game, it's a safe bet he's had a pretty bad night. When a guy is +35 for the season, usually means he's done a pretty good job as a two-way player. That's about as far as it goes though.

It is mostly a useless stat.
- John Jaeckel


Respectfully my good man, I do not agree. Everything, literally everything, needs context. A 27 minute D man is more likely to have been on the ice for a couple of those four goals that shouldn't have gone in. He's allowed to let in at least one in that amount of time so a -4 first pairing D man probably plays at least decently more than half the time that occurs.

I see absolutely no value in plus/minus.

How about games where the D only plays 17:38 and still ends up -4 on the night? And more than 3 minutes of that ice time is PP time and 0:00 minutes of shorthanded time?

In case you're wondering, that would be Jake Gardiner in the 7-0 loss to the Sharks last week.

Morgan Rielly on the other hand played 23:18, including nearly 4 full minutes shorthanded and only 1:34 on the PP, yet ended up the only player on the team who wasn't on the ice for a single goal against.

I suppose Gardiner probably was the best D-man on the ice that night though, not just in that particular game but in the entire league, because he probably had the highest number of some bullpoop unofficially tracked statistic because James needs to resort to unconventional means to claim Gardiner and Kadri are top-10 in the league. Gardiner probably had the highest number of expected unattempted potential passes that could theoretically lead to to goals or shots by either team within 60 seconds, so he's clearly the front-runner for the Norris. Just like Kadri is right up there contending for the "expected Art Ross" and "expected Rocket Richard" trophies, which are clearly better indicators of a player's skill than actual points / goals scored!

Hes one of the most defensivley effective dmen in the nhl. He doesn't score a ton, but doesn't need to. Hes still a 30-40 dman.
- James_Tanner

Butt I thought he was a top 10 defenceman. ...
Hat tip for backing off of that turd.
I'd take him over any of our defenceman except for Edler or Tanev. And neither of them are top 30 defenceman, I'd call them top 60 top 90

Not true at all. He's isn't a train wreck in his own end, he's obviously not a defensive gem but it helps that he always move the puck out is controlling the play when he's on the ice and does way more good then bad. I would happily take the great offensive plays he makes every game all game over the few defensive lapses. You clearly don't watch him ever so this comment is pointless.
- ClarksonDavid

His offense is amazing. But there isn't a d-man in the league who gets completely turnstiled as much as Karlsson. I saw a guy go outside in on him with ease earlier this year...and it was another defenceman. I don't watch him all that much, but I've seen the highlights...they're hilarious and frequent. Reminds me of Sheldon Souray when he was with the Habs.

His offense is amazing. But there isn't a d-man in the league who gets completely turnstiled as much as Karlsson. I saw a guy go outside in on him with ease earlier this year...and it was another defenceman. I don't watch him all that much, but I've seen the highlights...they're hilarious and frequent. Reminds me of Sheldon Souray when he was with the Habs.
- djamon

Yea Karlsson sucks I wouldn't want him on my team either

Yea Karlsson sucks I wouldn't want him on my team either
- rangerdanger94

Yup...that's what I said.

Yup...that's what I said.
- djamon

Considering Karlsson plays 25-30 minutes on many nights, the fact that there isn't a d-man in the league that gets turnstiled as much as him in the entire league, that's a lot of turnstiling and a lot of quality scoring chances the opposition gets. He must be a terrible player. I wouldn't want him on my team at all man, I hear you.

His offense is amazing. But there isn't a d-man in the league who gets completely turnstiled as much as Karlsson. I saw a guy go outside in on him with ease earlier this year...and it was another defenceman. I don't watch him all that much, but I've seen the highlights...they're hilarious and frequent. Reminds me of Sheldon Souray when he was with the Habs.
- djamon

one of the dumbest posts i've seen in a long time. it's VERY clear that you haven't seen him play.

Considering Karlsson plays 25-30 minutes on many nights, the fact that there isn't a d-man in the league that gets turnstiled as much as him in the entire league, that's a lot of turnstiling and a lot of quality scoring chances the opposition gets. He must be a terrible player. I wouldn't want him on my team at all man, I hear you.
- rangerdanger94

my favorite part is that he doesn't know you're being sarcastic.

I think the dude in Arizone stopped reading your columns when you called Jake Gardiner a top 10 D in the NHL.

my favorite part is that he doesn't know you're being sarcastic.
- sensarmy_11

Are you (frank)ing serious? I was mocking him for completely missing the point.

(frank)ing Sens fans...they never fail to astound with their stupidity.

Considering Karlsson plays 25-30 minutes on many nights, the fact that there isn't a d-man in the league that gets turnstiled as much as him in the entire league, that's a lot of turnstiling and a lot of quality scoring chances the opposition gets. He must be a terrible player. I wouldn't want him on my team at all man, I hear you.
- rangerdanger94

I have an idea...how about NOT getting turnstiled on a regular basis if you want to be a Top 5 Norris contender every year? Crazy, eh?

Are you (frank)ing serious? I was mocking him for completely missing the point.

(frank)ing Sens fans...they never fail to astound with their stupidity.
- djamon

suuuuure you were.

suuuuure you were.
- sensarmy_11

LOL. You're awesome.

I have an idea...how about NOT getting turnstiled on a regular basis if you want to be a Top 5 Norris contender every year? Crazy, eh?
- djamon

- sensarmy_11

Step back from the keyboard...this conversation has gone over your head.

Why do I keep coming to this idiot site...serves me right I guess.

LOL. You're awesome.
- djamon

LOL. You're clueless.

Step back from the keyboard...this conversation has gone over your head.

Why do I keep coming to this idiot site...serves me right I guess.
- djamon

then stop showing up.....the average IQ will rise without you here.

and i get your point......blah blah karlsson gets turnstyled blah blah terrible defensemen............it's just a stupid point that hasn't been relevant in about 3 years.

thanks for coming out though little boy.....now go home.

You clearly don't watch Gardiner so no point commenting about him.
- ClarksonDavid

I have been, he's been absolute junk the last 4 or so games....and he gets all the easy matchups compared to Hunny and Rielly.

I have an idea...how about NOT getting turnstiled on a regular basis if you want to be a Top 5 Norris contender every year? Crazy, eh?
- djamon

"I don't watch him all that much"

How do you know he gets turnstiled on a regular basis?

I have been, he's been absolute junk the last 4 or so games....and he gets all the easy matchups compared to Hunny and Rielly.
- Garnie

he's had a rough stretch (so has the entire leafs team) but he's still been good this year.

top 10 in the league is ridiculous......but he's been very good.

"I don't watch him all that much"

How do you know he gets turnstiled on a regular basis?
- rangerdanger94

- sensarmy_11

Karlsson's skating ability is such an asset when he defends. Even if he does get beat 1 on 1, which is rare, he often recovers due to his speed.

RINNE has been brutal. Reimer definitely an upgrade. Luango is awesome.
- James_Tanner

What? You're a lunatic.

You know players ( especially goalies ) have peaks and valleys. Reimer couldn't hold Rinne's jock most years...he has has 1/2 season of being poor and now James " I got no glove hand" Reimer is an upgrade.