They're the same age.....
- BINGO!

yes I know

LOL

My list is based on their entire game. While Karlsson is a much better defender than he ever has been, he wouldn't be on the ice ahead of the Top-3 guys on my list, if we're trying to hold a 1-goal lead.
- DARKSEID

Doesn't really matter what it's based on. He's the best defender on the planet. If it were physically possible he'd pay 60 minutes a night.

Doesn't really matter what it's based on. He's the best defender on the planet. If it were physically possible he'd pay 60 minutes a night.
- dr_soiledpants

agreed

You guys are going to love tomorrow's list.
- Peter.Tessier

I'll be expecting a healthy dose of Larsson, Tessier. Do not disappoint me.

yes I know

LOL
- jimbro83

.....okay bud.

Karlsson
Hedman
Letang
McDonagh
Slavin
- BINGO!

This is a good list. Krug should have an honourable mention though.

forgot Dan Girardi and Marc Staal

.....okay bud.
- BINGO!

how many years do you think it will take Slavin to score 4 playoff goals

the last game of the playoffs for Ottawa, game 7 vs Pittsburgh, Karlsson played with a significant injury, played 39:33, no other player on either team was even close in minutes

Karlsson plays in every situation and excels
- jimbro83

crosby owned karlsson that entire game, and pretty much the series.

so i wouldn't say he excelled.

i actually thought about putting him lower because of that series.

This is a good list. Krug should have an honourable mention though.
- dr_soiledpants

Krug still makes me a bit nervous but, yeah, he's up there. Werenski too.

crosby owned karlsson that entire game, and pretty much the series.

so i wouldn't say he excelled.

i actually thought about putting him lower because of that series.
- Tumbleweed

that's crazy, the guy was playing hurt

Giving an honerable mention to Schultz and not Letang is a joke.

crosby owned karlsson that entire game, and pretty much the series.

so i wouldn't say he excelled.

i actually thought about putting him lower because of that series.
- Tumbleweed

Crosby owns everyone though. Karlsson may be the best defender, but Crosby is arguably still the best player.

Crosby owns everyone though. Karlsson may be the best defender, but Crosby is arguably all the best player.
- dr_soiledpants

and Ryan McDonagh shut him down when the Rangers eliminated the Pens in 2014 and 2015

but lets leave him off

that's crazy, the guy was playing hurt
- jimbro83

everybody plays hurt in the playoffs.

how many years do you think it will take Slavin to score 4 playoff goals
- jimbro83

Do you want to talk about how Skjei managed to give the puck away 20 times in those same 12 playoff games?

But hey, if you think a defenseman shooting 21% is sustainable...

No love for Aaron Ekblad?? Man, his sophomore season really killed his overall image

1. Hedman
2. Karlsson
3. Letang
4. Ekblad
5. Werenski

Hon Mentions: McDonagh, Rielly, Faulk, Shattenkirk, Carlson, Weber

Ristolainen is a terrible defenseman. Just watch him play for a few mins. The team is better when he's on the bench

Crosby owns everyone though. Karlsson may be the best defender, but Crosby is arguably still the best player.
- dr_soiledpants

down the stretch, hedman was the most dominate dman i've seen in a while.

he almost willed a team decimated by injuries into the playoffs.

just a better all around player to me; even as good as karlsson is.

Do you want to talk about how Skjei managed to give the puck away 20 times in those same 12 playoff games?

But hey, if you think a defenseman shooting 21% is sustainable...
- BINGO!

well, I guess if your guy isn't playing he can't give the puck away

down the stretch, hedman was the most dominate dman i've seen in a while.

he almost willed a team decimated by injuries into the playoffs.

just a better all around player to me; even as good as karlsson is.
- Tumbleweed

look everybody has injuries, come on man

look everybody has injuries, come on man
- jimbro83

well played

Weber is still among top 5 in East

Weber is still among top 5 in East
- puckhead17

definitely, it's just silly not including him

down the stretch, hedman was the most dominate dman i've seen in a while.

he almost willed a team decimated by injuries into the playoffs.

just a better all around player to me; even as good as karlsson is.
- Tumbleweed

And Karlsson in the playoffs almost willed his team to the SCF on a broken foot.

definitely, it's just silly not including him
- jimbro83

And now a Canes fan stumbles in, and cries relevancy