Should Erik Karlsson’s lament be taken seriously?
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20 Comments
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J1Q, I don’t see how the Pens can trade away EK65. He is by far the best offensive producer out of the blue line. Kris Letang, even when healthy, cannot be that anymore. I think the Pens would be better off finding a good defensive partner to pair with him on the top line. His cap hit isn’t that bad anymore with the cap rising every year.
You nailed it DK. Karlsson required people to adapt to him. I would argue it’s one reason he hasn’t won anywhere. He’s a great player. But his deficiencies which there are many, and his need to have a team/players to shape around him is a big weakness. There is no defence-man in the playoffs that I can think of that give up what he gives up on the ice defensively. His career 60-70pt per season rate is good but It’s really really hard to win in the playoffs with his defensive play the two playoff runs he had a trap system and Brett burns and Vlasic taking on most of the defensive zone starts. Regardless of how well he is at first pass out of the zone the defensive element of his game is hard to cover for.
Relative to his salary he simply is not getting it done. If he left we could sign better people n never miss him
The Karlsson trade undid a lot of mess that Hextall left and brought in a very tradeable asset if it didn't work out. Skilled, right-handed defensemen always have value.
Maple Leafs fans ran Phil Kessel out of town and mocked his love of hot dogs. He's now a three time Stanley Cup Champion.
Karlsson was a mistake by Dubas. Oh well. It'll happen. What's important now is not getting other players to "adjust" to him, as DK states. No, trade him however that must happen. If he's here next year, it'll only be more of the same. ALL D men MUST play D first. wishing otherwise, IMO, is foolishness. Be blessed y'all. Yahshua rules!
I don’t get why Toronto hates Dubas. He put together some really good rosters. Although, yes they always seemed a little weak in net. But the teams were good, dominating regular season and then they would disappear in the playoffs. Why doesn’t the blame fall on the coaches or the players for not getting the most out of themselves?
I appreciate your comments and insight on Karlsson. In the long run this might be a case of him not being a good fit on this roster. I’m personally hopeful they give it a little more time, as Sid seems to be catching on to how exactly Karlsson functions and sees the ice. I look at how Karlsson has played for other teams but especially the Tre Kronor and it’s clear to me he cares, and brings tremendous value. I don’t think the lack of success in Pittsburgh thus far is due to his not caring. He’s not a “cancer” in the locker room, as I have seen some fans commenting. But ultimately, if the point production doesn’t increase then it’s probably time to move on from him.
Pens need a top solid defenseman to pair eith him. Peterson did well but either get a true defenseman or trade him
He's a forward playing defense
As the highest paid player on the team, he can’t play defense and doesn’t play on the top PP unit. That tells me he needs to get moved. I don’t think we’re any worse without him and that’s pretty damning.
I do think they need to take Karlsson more seriously. One way or the other and either get what you paid for or trade. A better defense could help. Thank you DK.
I think we all need to remember that Dubas made moves that most of us thought were good at the time. Sometimes, the player falters. I don't remember anyone ripping him for signing Graves until Graves stunk up the joint. He was a good D-man before he got here, and was the type of defensive d-man the team needed to keep the puck out of their zone. Him and Marcus Pettersson SHOULD have been perfect compliments to Karlsson and Letang to make a solid top 4. The year before he signed, he had 8 goals and was +34 with the Devils, playing 20 minutes a night. His first full season in the league (Avs) he had 9 goals and was +40 in 69 games. I know +/- doesn't mean a lot, but when you are among the league leaders, with two different organizations and coaching systems, it does carry weight.
Tristan Jarry, well… that's a tough one. I know at the time, Jarry was testing FA, and there were no other starting goalies on the market that year. If he didn't re-sign Jarry, who would have been the starter? He could have gone with a cheaper 34+ year-old journeyman on a 2 year deal, let's say. Someone like a James Reimer type. Would we have complained about that option in net while struggling to make the playoffs? Likely. Could he have signed Jarry for fewer years or less dollars? I don't know. He was the only legitimate starter available at the time under 30 and that raised his price tag. Beggars can't be choosers, and as bad as he's been, Jarry hasn't been that much worse than the defensive game in front of him. Someone would have paid him to leave town back then and possibly regretted it. Or they would have had a better d-core and maybe Jarry would have better numbers. I think Dubas was stuck between a rock and a hard place on the that one and got stuck overpaying with no other quality options that summer.
He's a 66 point per 82 game player in his career. He's a little bit shy of that in Pittsburgh.
But if you're banking on an outlier 101 year becoming anything close to his new standard, you're being naive. This was his 16th season. He passed 80 points one other time, when he was 25.
Lots of people said about Dubus.."wow he got Karlsson". I suggested from the beginning that was a bad acquisition. Dubus made this acquisition without a reasonable understanding of the teams composition or really knowing what kinds of players the team most needed. 10 mil could have acquired all that the Pens really needed. This was an enormous mistake IMO. now what?
The only other former leaf to my knowledge is Acciari. Still doesn't make them the southern leads.
I was excited and concerned when they got Karlsson because of watching him in the Cup finals.
Agree with you on Dubas and Timmins.
Also I like the idea of Dewar becoming a mobile bankshot for #65, hopefully he does too.
Safe travels n'at!
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Are you suggesting Knievs??