Jared Crozier: Erik Karlsson: Powered By Methot?

if he and Methot stay healthy AND if the team continues to improve as we hope it will ......

Karlsson will notch 110 pts (1.35 pts/game) and win a third Norris.


Karlsson to Methot .....'you complete me'

I do think the return of Methot to the side of Karlsson played a big part in how the sens performed in the 2nd half. I did expect Karlsson to struggle a bit to start the year. The team was in flux, and he was thrust into the role of Captain at a very young age. A lot was put onto his shoulders, and he would have to adapt quickly.

As for Methot, it not only stabilizes the play of Karlsson, but it also slots the rest of the Ottawa D into more comfortable spots. Let's face it, Karlsson without Methot was playing with guys who should NOT have been seeing top pairing minute or be playing the role of backup to a free wheeling type of D man Karlsson is when he is most effective. What ended up happening is that Karlsson ended up trying to do too much and it hampered his effectiveness.

With Methot healthy, the sens D is very capable. Without him things are less rosy. I'd say Wiercioch is next on the totem pole for LD at the moment, and I'm not sure two offense minded D on the same pair is a good idea. That leaves Cowen and Boro. I would like to see Cowen evolve into the guy that can replace Methot, but I am not sure that will ever happen. That leaves Claesson and Wikstrand as the future top LD in Ottawa. I think that is going to be a while. So I hope Methot stays healthy until the end of his contract when he is 34 and begins to trend downward. I hope by then there is a guy to replace him. Always think about the future

Hum... I agree that Methot makes Karlsson better, but I do not agree that Methot is not a 1st pairing on most NHL teams. Defensively, points don't matter. At 23 points, its enough points for a defense to be effective on first pairing. His skating ability, positioning and hitting surely does match other first pairing defense. BTW, who has a better hip-check than Methot?

Just a reminder of media hysteria, remember last winter when everyone was talking about Methot's career being over, Karlsson losing his elite ability, Weircoche being a brutal contract, Lehner being our starter, Meg Ryan being our best player and Ray Shero being our next GM.

Anyways, who cares about what Methot is, he and Karlsson have chemistry and that is worth more then any skill level. and he's on a sweet contract.

As a diehard Methot fan (still my favorite player in the league), he couldn't get a chance in Columbus. I'm very glad that he's now being recognized as a great defenseman (and yes, best hip check in the league). Stand up guy who always does charitable work. And the trade for him worked out in both teams favors (thanks for our Captain :D)

I like Methot as a player. He is a solid top 4 NHL Dman. He could possibly be a top pairing Dman on another team, but he wouldn’t be one of the better ones.

To me, the reason this works is simply because EK has a bona fide NHL Dman to play with. He struggled to start the year, but that was simply because he was forced to play with fringe NHL Dman (aged Phillips/Boro) against the other team’s best players. I can’t think of one NHL Dman who would succeed in that situation.

Methot is a steady and speedy Dman but to say he is the reason that EK turned his season around, is missing the point. There are probably at least 60-90 other NHL Dmen that EK could have succeeded with. Methot is simply the one we have.

I point to Kuba as a perfect example. The guy was barely a top 4NHL Dman and was a career minus player (granted on bad teams) and his ‘steadying influence’ (if we can even call it that), helped lead Karlsson to his first Norris. Did EK win the Norris cause of Kuba? F**K no.

As a diehard Methot fan (still my favorite player in the league), he couldn't get a chance in Columbus. I'm very glad that he's now being recognized as a great defenseman (and yes, best hip check in the league). Stand up guy who always does charitable work. And the trade for him worked out in both teams favors (thanks for our Captain :D)
- ArchCityZach

I like the trade for both teams still. Foligno will make a great captain and is also a really great community guy. Everything I've hear about him is class act.

Sens have had talks with the Rangers for a swap of defence men. There is some cap maneuvering to be made before the season starts. Yandle is the likely target. Arizona is still paying half of his cap hit/salary.

Sens have had talks with the Rangers for a swap of defence men. There is some cap maneuvering to be made before the season starts. Yandle is the likely target. Arizona is still paying half of his cap hit/salary.
- Cup 06

That would be unreal!

Karlson is definitely in my fav five. I took him 5th overall in my draft last season and he was borderline bust untill January. The stats dont lie

Sens have had talks with the Rangers for a swap of defence men. There is some cap maneuvering to be made before the season starts. Yandle is the likely target. Arizona is still paying half of his cap hit/salary.
- Cup 06

Always take your comments very seriously.

Everybody has cap problems. Not a lot of options for Yandle next year. Rangers can't resign him.

Would the Sens be interested in Yandle on a long term deal......I don't think so.

What would Rangers want?

Always take your comments very seriously.

Everybody has cap problems. Not a lot of options for Yandle next year. Rangers can't resign him.

Would the Sens be interested in Yandle on a long term deal......I don't think so.

What would Rangers want?
- spatso

Weircioch I presume and a prospect + pick

Weircioch I presume and a prospect + pick
- TheCalSen

Cowen, Prince & 2016 3rd

I'm not sure why people are talking about Yandle but with the Sens...... give credit to Murray. Last year Nick Foligno was doing great and all smiles at the nhl all star game. Methot was a pending UFA and WAS RUMORED TO BE TRADED AT THE DEADLINE! Well.... Norris trophy would not be held by an Ottawa Dman if not for what Methot brings. I'll take a healthy Methot over Nick - who I really like.

Defense Breakdown

Top Pair Permanent Black Marker: Methot - Karlsson

2nd Pair (Pencil it in): Wiercioch (default) - Ceci (best right shot behind kingK)

3rd Pair: Boroweici - [Open Spot]

Jared Cowen: If Greening is not on the team and this guy is healthy, the official whipping boy of the team. And when you compare the contract he received with his play following it, he is the example of why you give a player a bridge deal. Looking at Weircioch, it's easy to see why (PW got 2 years @2M)

Chris Phillips: The big rig will still be open for business but how much longer and the quality of his play are serious in doubt right now. Really played well last year for a small stretch early on. Was playing with Ek if people remember.

Chris Wideman: Think Gryba moving out makes this signing more significant. This is the only right shot Dman behind ceci and karlsson in the organization. It isn't the biggest thing but when your the AHL best Dman ... that's something

Don't take this the wrong way but the blog is basically saying the Norris winner is only that due to his team mate? Without Methot Karlsson is not the winner?

I thought the Norris trophy was for an elite defenceman, not a D that has to have a certain partner.

Don't get me wrong, had has great hair, but the blog suggests the wrong man won the Norris.

Don't take this the wrong way but the blog is basically saying the Norris winner is only that due to his team mate? Without Methot Karlsson is not the winner?

I thought the Norris trophy was for an elite defenceman, not a D that has to have a certain partner.

Don't get me wrong, had has great hair, but the blog suggests the wrong man won the Norris.
- Aussiepenguin

what the....

Keith without Seabrook.......Weber without Josi.......Subban without Markov.......
a lot of you're "elite" dmen wouldn't be winning norris trophies without their D-partners. Without Methot, this team's D was REALLY depleted and young last year.

what the....

Keith without Seabrook.......Weber without Josi.......Subban without Markov.......
a lot of you're "elite" dmen wouldn't be winning norris trophies without their D-partners. Without Methot, this team's D was REALLY depleted and young last year.
- AlfieisKing

I know for certain no matter who partnered Tanger, he was having a great season until injury. Pretty sure Keith goes ok without Seabrook & Weber (not sure what he has to do to get a guernsey), does ok with whoever.

You can argue what I say, but an elite player is just that no matter who he plays with. The blog does say a lot whether it meant to or not. No matter, they won't take it off him even though his fans think they should. He still has the hair!

I know for certain no matter who partnered Tanger, he was having a great season until injury. Pretty sure Keith goes ok without Seabrook & Weber (not sure what he has to do to get a guernsey), does ok with whoever.

You can argue what I say, but an elite player is just that no matter who he plays with. The blog does say a lot whether it meant to or not. No matter, they won't take it off him even though his fans think they should. He still has the hair!
- Aussiepenguin

Can you name a single player who won the Norris trophy in a year he didn't have a partner who was at least close to a top pairing d man?

Niedermyer had Stevens with the Devils.
Leetch had Beukeboom
Lidstrom had Rafalski, Schneider, and Murphy
Chara had Seidenberg
Borque had Sweeney
Coffey had Huddy
Orr had Smith
Blake had Norstrom
MacInnis had Pronger in St.Louis

and so it goes...