Erik Karlsson is the Best Offensive Blue-Liner in Hockey
By Ian Smith
Erik Karlsson is continuing to cement his case as the best defenseman in the NHL. Although he lost out to Drew Doughty on what would have been his third Norris Trophy win and second straight official distinction as the league’s best blue-liner, it’s hard to argue that Karlsson isn’t the premier defenseman in hockey right now.
Among active players, only Duncan Keith can equal his 2 Norris Trophy wins. Karlsson might be lacking in the defensive category compared to some of his star peers, but nobody at his position demonstrates the offensive skill set that Karlsson has.
Keith has never scored 70 points in a season. Doughty has never scored 60. P.K. Subban has had one 60 point season.
Karlsson has four 60 point seasons. Three of those are seasons with 70 or more points. He had 16 goals and a league-leading 66 assists last season.
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The concern with Karlsson has always been his lack of size, and how it leads to not as effective defense on his part. Despite his 82 points last season, he registered a -2 for his time on the ice. That is alarming, and indicative of his defensive struggles.
Of the 17 players who had over 70 points last season, only Karlsson and Brent Burns registered a negative plus/minus. They were also the two highest scoring defensemen, but it highlights their strength on offense more so than defense.
It’s a team game, and Karlsson’s poor plus/minus ratings are exacerbated by other players on the ice. Yet it’s still amazing that with all his offensive production, the team gave up more goals when he was on the ice than they scored.
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Karlsson isn’t as complete of a defenseman like Doughty is, but nobody provides the offensive output on a yearly basis that Karlsson does. The Senators are lucky to have such an outstanding source of offense from the blue-line. He can shoot, pass, and is unrivaled as an offensive orchestrator from his position.