Dont confuse hitting with defense. Ovechkin throws a ton of hits, and nobody accuses him of playing defense - Cephalopods
It is different for a forward and a defensemen, but yes, the two are not mutually exclusive. The knocks on Karlsson have always been lack of hitting and lack of defense. I don't mean to lump them together. Karlsson was also 3rd in the league in takeaways among defensemen (granted 3rd in giveaways too, although probably has the puck on his stick more than any other defenseman too!)
The hit on Beaulieu was illegal but went unpunished. Mtl didn't retaliate because they needed to win the game/series.
But like you said, Karlsson is around 6' and 180. Beaulieu is 6'2 200 lbs.
We all know that EK65 will have to keep his head up if Beaulieu is on the ice this year.
About Subban: for the first time in years we could say that he played great in the 3 zones because he wasn't always looking for the hit ( or the big hit ).
So we could not care less, EK65 isn't a hitter, he's soft and can't play in his own zone. Subban can. But both of them arent the best dmen in the league. Weber, Keith and Doughty are the best.
The hit on Beaulieu was illegal but went unpunished. Mtl didn't retaliate because they needed to win the game/series.
But like you said, Karlsson is around 6' and 180. Beaulieu is 6'2 200 lbs.
We all know that EK65 will have to keep his head up if Beaulieu is on the ice this year.
About Subban: for the first time in years we could say that he played great in the 3 zones because he wasn't always looking for the hit ( or the big hit ).
So we could not care less, EK65 isn't a hitter, he's soft and can't play in his own zone. Subban can. But both of them arent the best dmen in the league. Weber, Keith and Doughty are the best. - koniglaro
Thanks for proving my point....
I certainly don't agree that the Beaulieu hit was illegal.
Beaulieu will be the least of reasons why Karlsson needs to keep his head up. He has a target on his back every night and at his size always has his head up.
Location: I would rather see a dudes hairy balls than his hairy feet-Jimbro Joined: 12.13.2013
Sep 2 @ 1:32 PM ET
It is different for a forward and a defensemen, but yes, the two are not mutually exclusive. The knocks on Karlsson have always been lack of hitting and lack of defense. I don't mean to lump them together. Karlsson was also 3rd in the league in takeaways among defensemen (granted 3rd in giveaways too, although probably has the puck on his stick more than any other defenseman too!) - JaredCrozier
If he is going to grow at defense I think he would work more on positioning, getting in shooting and passing lanes, using his body to knock a player off the puck, not necessarily go for a big hit. Although he does better than most making up for bad positioning because of his incredible speed.
You shouldn't want Karlsson being a hitter. Case in point. He might do more damage to himself.
I certainly don't agree that the Beaulieu hit was illegal.
Beaulieu will be the least of reasons why Karlsson needs to keep his head up. He has a target on his back every night and at his size always has his head up. - JaredCrozier
I disagree. Beaulieu was clearly frustrated when he came back after his injury. He certainly hasn't forgot and with this new rivalry between the two teams, i can see Beaulieu going after EK.
One of the best games I saw EK play was year two I believe against the Caps and Ovie was just flying that night. Karlsson had Ovie coming down the wing a hundred miles and hour and waited and baited and then poke - a simple poke check resulted in a frustrated Ovie having to skate around the net wasting time while Karlsson had the puck on the face-off dot going the other way. I was at that game and by my count Ovie broke two very expensive sticks off over the boards in frustration.
He doesn't need to line up the Beaulieu's of the world, I just think in that particular case, he was trying to lead his team in a different way than he normally does.
Location: Middle 'o Nowehre, ON Joined: 07.02.2014
Sep 2 @ 2:36 PM ET
The hit on Beaulieu was illegal but went unpunished. Mtl didn't retaliate because they needed to win the game/series. - "koniglaro"
The wording of the rule ( Rule 48.1 ) is:
"a lateral or blind side hit to an opponent where the head is targeted and/or the principle point of contact is not permitted"
The vid you posted showed incidental contact with the head combined with contact to the shoulder / body.
Karlsson didn't elevate ( raise his elbows to attack the head ), or leave his feet. Clearly, the intended target was the body. Contact to the head was incidental due to the body position of Bealieu ( bent at the waist and hunched over ).
Clarified by the NHL:
"a hit resulting in contact with an opponent's head where the head was the main point of contact and such contact to the head was avoidable."
Due to the position that Bealieu had his body in, contact to the head was pretty damned unavoidable. By the word of the rule, the hit was not illegal.
RE: Defense that Karlsson plays, I'd say there are areas where he isn't strong. Some Dmen are good at managing being bottled in their zone and holding off sustained attack. That isn't how Karlsson thinks when playing defense in his own end ( which is where people seem to be referencing when they say ' playing defense' ). He's an attack minded Dman. His goal is to take the puck away and move it up the ice. This is super effective at generating offense, but it can back fire ( causing turnovers ). However, the offense created has always been higher than the damaged caused.
Karlsson is less effective is when he has to maintain a position. Stand ground, wait for the play to come to him and ride players off to the boards. It isn't how he plays the game, and it isn't how he's best used. You'll notice larger Dmen able to move players from the slot and areas close to the net and guide them to the boards or the perimeter. Karlsson isn't suited for this. He should keep an active stick and quick foot speed to get position and block lanes. He simply isn't gonna move a guy that has him by 40-50lbs. That doesn't mean he can't be effective. Duncan Kieth has been using these methods effectively for years now.
I've never understood why the NHL doesn't just create another award to take care of this offensive defenceman issue.
The Maurice Richard and Art Ross trophies are awarded based on pure statistical performance... why not just create something like a Bobby Orr Trophy for the highest scoring defenceman, so the Norris Trophy can be redefined as the most valuable or top all-round defenceman?
Location: I would rather see a dudes hairy balls than his hairy feet-Jimbro Joined: 12.13.2013
Sep 2 @ 3:09 PM ET
Hey, he got the puck off his opponents stick and stopped the rush...sorta. - MaxTLimit
Only reason I picked that video was as a Rangers fan I don't get to see the Sens play much. And it was probably the only time I've seen Karlsson go for a huge hit. He is way more effective in the transition.
Wanted to mention that the current reports for Karlsson is that he actually weighs 200lbs...mind you he will lose a bunch of that during the season, but still...
I've never understood why the NHL doesn't just create another award to take care of this offensive defenceman issue.
The Maurice Richard and Art Ross trophies are awarded based on pure statistical performance... why not just create something like a Bobby Orr Trophy for the highest scoring defenceman, so the Norris Trophy can be redefined as the most valuable or top all-round defenceman? - khawk
The definition of the Norris is for the best all-around dman.
I've never understood why the NHL doesn't just create another award to take care of this offensive defenceman issue.
The Maurice Richard and Art Ross trophies are awarded based on pure statistical performance... why not just create something like a Bobby Orr Trophy for the highest scoring defenceman, so the Norris Trophy can be redefined as the most valuable or top all-round defenceman? - khawk
I agree with this. But, this would only infuriate the whiners. Bobby Orr, the best offensive Dman to play the game would suggest a trophy who plays like........who comes to mind.
The Norris would go to the best stay at home Dman who protects his own end. Problem nobody would care about the Norris anymore.
The definition of the Norris is for the best all-around dman. - jfkst1
Canada sent all their best Dmen to the last Olympics. I believe Karlsson was named top Dman at the end of the tournament. I don't understand how everyone apparently does not understand he is not as good as (insert slug of the month).
If Karlsson plays at the level he played over the second half of last season he is going to win more than a Norris.
Who are the players that have won two Norris trophies? How many made to the hall of fame after retiring?
If Karlsson wins a third Norris, where does he go on the list?
