Here in Ottawa we’ve known it for awhile but now the entire league has recognized it- Erik Karlsson is one best defenceman in the game.
He’s showed it in the past, winning the award in 2012. And after a long recovery following what looked like a potentially career-ending injury, Erik Karlsson is there once again. This evening, the National Hockey League announced that Karlsson is one of three finalists for the Norris Trophy for league’s top defenceman. Drew Doughty and PK Subban are the other two nominees.
Considering the other two finalists, you have to think Karlsson is the favourite to win this year’s award.
If you had taken a vote at the half-way mark, Erik Karlsson probably would not have even been in the discussion. But his turnaround following the return of Marc Methot helped him surge to the top of the league in defenceman scoring and re-establish himself as one of the elite players in this game.
Offence has always been the strength of Karlsson’s game but his defensive game has always been underrated and the reality is no player in today’s game controls possession the way Karlsson does from the back-end.
His play on the ice and leadership off of it in the last couple months of the season were a huge part of this team’s miraculous run for the playoffs.
The Ottawa Senators were one of the best stories in the NHL this year and not surprisingly, the accolades have already started to roll in. Mark Stone was nominated for the Calder Trophy. Dave Cameron is going to get some Coach of the Year votes. And General Manager Bryan Murray has to be in the conversation for GM of the Year.
