Karlsson
Hedman
Doughty
Keith
Burns
Subban
Ekman-Larson
Letang
Josi
Giordano
Lindholm
Suter

top player in the league, no

potentially top player for a season that allows him to win MVP, yes
- bulet13

I just want to clarify, when I say top player, I mean top 5-10. But yea that's fair. I'm obviously a little biased because he's our golden boy right now, but damn is he good. I'm honestly jealous you guys have Ghost.

they're just mad they dont have erik karlsson on their team
- teamvanek

erik karlsson is just shayne gostisbehere 2.0

Sweet, he got some Norris votes. same as Beauchemin last year to rank him tied for 20th in norris voting.

I wouldnt say norris voting year to year is the best measuring stick
- DDM-Coga

Dallas finished 2nd overall and Klingberg was their best defenseman

did Klingberg (frank) your mother or something?

1. Karlsson
2. Hedman
3. OEL
4. Letang
5. Burns/PK/Jossi/Lindholm (too hard to pick between those guys)

2-4 in my opinion are all very close to each other with the guys at 5 nipping at their heals. Crazy that Nashville has two of those guys I couldn't pick between. If Letang stays healthy and plays the whole season like he did the second half of last year, he skyrockets to at least the #2 spot.

they're just mad they dont have erik karlsson on their team
- teamvanek

oh yeah, that must be it. And yet, I don't have Doughty on my team, but would take him without the least bit of a doubt before Karlsson.

Didn't think that would through, did you big guy?

Yes, it sure does carry weight.

Every single year, the Sens get scored on in bunches with him on the ice. They were a top 10 team in terms of goals against without him on the ice this year. They were far, far worse than even Edmonton, the worst defensive team in the entire league, with him on the ice.

This happens year, after year, after year.

You think that's just coincidence?
- prock

I know you hate all things Sens...... but come on man...... its only logical that 1/2 of Ottawa's goals against are going to be when Karlsson is playing ...... BECAUSE HE PLAYS HALF THE FREAKIN' GAME.....

shhesh ..... haters are gonna hate ..... but its getting kinda old.

It's like you are EK trying to pump his own ratings by throwing out ridiculous comments just to get more hits.....

erik karlsson is just shayne gostisbehere 2.0
- bulet13

I think ghost might be more like Michael Del Zotto 2.0

That sounds like Giroux...and Eichel will be much, much better than Giroux
- teamvanek

He certainly could be. And going forward, based on their age, I would be that he, in fact, will be better from here on out.

I just want to clarify, when I say top player, I mean top 5-10. But yea that's fair. I'm obviously a little biased because he's our golden boy right now, but damn is he good. I'm honestly jealous you guys have Ghost.
- BatFan88

Oh okay i see what you're getting after. The problem with naming top 5-10 players in the whole league is forwards generally get favored more heavily than defensemen or goalies. I definitely believe that he will be a top 10 center in the league no doubt, and if your prospect pool pans out and he has some guys on his wing who can hold their own, i think he could be a top 5. this is also assuming noone gets injuries ever

Kadri is better than Duchene, and deserved the Hart last year.
- Blackstrom2

I never said that Kadri deserved the Hart. In around December, I suggested that he would be a good candidate if he wasn't shooting a preposterous 1% with his linemates also putting in way below average shooting percentages.

At the time, he had a ridiculous relative corsi to his team and lead the league in shots. His shot-chart was basically exactly the same as pat Kane's (in terms of location and frequency).

At the time I wrote that, with just average shooting percentages from him and his linemates, Kadri would have been the league's leading scorer, so calling him a Hart Candidate was accurate, at the time.

That being said, these awards and our evaluations are so reputation based that I get why you'd make fun of it, but at least try to have some context to what you're saying if you wanna make of me! (Which I don't mind).

Anyways, Kadri is better than Duchene - slightly less offense (although MD has better players to feed the puck to) but Kadri gives you better D and is the league's best penalty drawer.

1. Karlsson
2. Hedman
3. OEL
4. Letang
5. Burns/PK/Jossi/Lindholm (too hard to pick between those guys)

2-4 in my opinion are all very close to each other with the guys at 5 nipping at their heals. Crazy that Nashville has two of those guys I couldn't pick between. If Letang stays healthy and plays the whole season like he did the second half of last year, he skyrockets to at least the #2 spot.
- Victoro311

when Letang doesn't miss 20 games a year he can be in that list, until then no

To those making smart ass comments about Subban getting more recognition because he's not in Montreal anymore: http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=71404

He certainly could be. And going forward, based on their age, I would be that he, in fact, will be better from here on out.
- jmatchett383

giroux scored the most points in the entire league over a 3 year stretch...if jack eichel does that feat then we can have this discussion

Dallas finished 2nd overall and Klingberg was their best defenseman

did Klingberg (frank) your mother or something?
- jimbro83

Yes, Klingberg is the best defenseman in the NHL after Ryan McDonagh, Marc Staal, and Dan Girardi.

Move it along.

I think ghost might be more like Michael Del Zotto 2.0
- teamvanek

good thing the flyers have both on their team then

Yes, Klingberg is the best defenseman in the NHL after Ryan McDonagh, Marc Staal, and Dan Girardi.

Move it along.
- jmatchett383

this isn't a Ranger discussion, good to show your obsession though

"1. Erik Karlsson.

This isn't an opinion"

According to Jaeckel, it is debatable, and he's not even a top 2.

I do agree that he is #1, but I can understand people having reasons (personal bias, different ways of quantifying who is the best, preference of a certain style of play, etc.) for having a different take. He's clearly a great player though.
- jmatchett383

Well we live in a world where people don't really respect facts to the point where they think facts and feelings and opinions are interchangeable.

Erik Karlsson is closer to Bobby Orr than he is to any mere mortal currently playing in the NHL.

To those making smart ass comments about Subban getting more recognition because he's not in Montreal anymore: http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=71404
- ToddCordellVAN

Oh, so the three stats guys had him and JJ didn't. Who saw that one coming??!?!?!?

giroux scored the most points in the entire league over a 3 year stretch...if and when jack eichel does that feat then we can have this discussion
- bulet13

I'm just harping on you Flyers fans I love Giroux, If Eichel becomes another Giroux I will be very very happy

Oh okay i see what you're getting after. The problem with naming top 5-10 players in the whole league is forwards generally get favored more heavily than defensemen or goalies. I definitely believe that he will be a top 10 center in the league no doubt, and if your prospect pool pans out and he has some guys on his wing who can hold their own, i think he could be a top 5. this is also assuming noone gets injuries ever
- bulet13

Yea this all true. It's also hard to forecast 7-8 years in the future, what with kids being 12-13 years old right now that could possibly be better than anyone playing right now. I like the direction the league is going in thoigh, lots of young good talent all over the place.

You know there are 5 players on the ice, right? Anyways;

You know the entire time NSH had Suter and Weber, they finished in the bottom half in GA every year until 12/13, right? Strange, they got so much praise, yet they were a top-10 team in goals against almost every year with them.

You think that's just a coincidence?
- Blackstrom2

It blows my mind that this is hard for people to understand. Yeah, there are 5 people on the ice. When all 5 of those are not Erik Karlsson, the goals against the Sens drops like a rock. Every year.

When Shea Weber and Ryan Suter were on the ice together, they had VERY low goals against per 60.

this isn't a Ranger discussion, good to show your obsession though
- jimbro83

It probably should be though, if McD development didn't stale.

I never said that Kadri deserved the Hart. In around December, I suggested that he would be a good candidate if he wasn't shooting a preposterous 1% with his linemates also putting in way below average shooting percentages.

At the time, he had a ridiculous relative corsi to his team and lead the league in shots. His shot-chart was basically exactly the same as pat Kane's (in terms of location and frequency).

At the time I wrote that, with just average shooting percentages from him and his linemates, Kadri would have been the league's leading scorer, so calling him a Hart Candidate was accurate, at the time.

That being said, these awards and our evaluations are so reputation based that I get why you'd make fun of it, but at least try to have some context to what you're saying if you wanna make of me! (Which I don't mind).

Anyways, Kadri is better than Duchene - slightly less offense (although MD has better players to feed the puck to) but Kadri gives you better D and is the league's best penalty drawer.
- James_Tanner

Obviously 1% is absurdly low, however, you should look at the players who increase there teammates shooting %. The top 5 includes players like Crosby, Hudler etc. Maybe Kadri just isn't really that good

I know you hate all things Sens...... but come on man...... its only logical that 1/2 of Ottawa's goals against are going to be when Karlsson is playing ...... BECAUSE HE PLAYS HALF THE FREAKIN' GAME.....

shhesh ..... haters are gonna hate ..... but its getting kinda old.

It's like you are EK trying to pump his own ratings by throwing out ridiculous comments just to get more hits.....
- SensnRBs

nice try. The goals per 60 skyrocket with him on the ice.