A lot of Karlssons "luck" probably comes from the fact that he is put on the ice in most offensive situations and is good enough to get a lot of ice time.
Last year was Karlssons coming out party. His first step up towards his peak. And with a Norris boosting his already high self confidence, and a lot of video and experience now with what he can and can't do, it's hard to imagine he wont improve. He has so much room to improve still. Whether that reflects in increased point totals will somewhat reflect on how well the team does, but surely he is going to be skating better this year.
Methot is another one. After years of development as a defensive defenceman, he is now stepping into his prime in that role too. Cross your fingers for synergy.
The rest of the league is NOW going to focus on shutting down Karlsson?
Like they haven't already caught on or something?
Points aren't everything. If he has a better season but puts up less points, who cares?
It's about winning, and he helps us win.
Totally agree.
Other teams have been trying to shut this kid down for over half a season already. The Rangers were more effective because they sacrificed offence in return for everyone crowding their own net and blocking every shot.
It worked against us not because Karlsson was neutralized, but because our forwards couldn't capitalize enough on the many scoring chances they were given. The reality is that even given that stiffing defence, we were a single timely goal away from taking the series.
The rest of the league is NOW going to focus on shutting down Karlsson?
Like they haven't already caught on or something?
Points aren't everything. If he has a better season but puts up less points, who cares?
It's about winning, and he helps us win.
Yeah if Sens have a better year next year with Karlsson taking 25-30 minutes a night there's a good chance Karlsson had a better season regardless of his point totals. Not many people can actually see it that way though.
The rest of the league is NOW going to focus on shutting down Karlsson?
Like they haven't already caught on or something?
Points aren't everything. If he has a better season but puts up less points, who cares?
It's about winning, and he helps us win.
Exacty. And loading all your resources on shutting down Karlsson will only open up more ice for our 2nd pairing offensive D-Man......... Whoever that may be.
No, BM could have traded a 3rd line grinder due for a big raise for defensive help.
Yup.
OR, he could have signed some defensive help. And kept Nick.
Also an option if you, you know, wanted to keep a 24 yr old grinder who scored 50 pts... cause you could have done that. 3 million for Nick, 3 million for Dman... still barely at the cap. Wouldn't be accused of overspending. 3 million isn't what it used to be fellas - get used to it.
But BM didn't like that an option and they wanted Methot. OK. I guess they needed to save some money for something else - like a legit top line player perhaps?
But let's not sit around here and say the move was done to make room for the prospects and then talk about how signing Huselius makes any sort of sense.
OR, he could have signed some defensive help. And kept Nick.
Also an option if you, you know, wanted to keep a 24 yr old grinder who scored 50 pts... cause you could have done that. 3 million for Nick, 3 million for Dman... still barely at the cap. Wouldn't be accused of overspending. 3 million isn't what it used to be fellas - get used to it.
But BM didn't like that an option and they wanted Methot. OK. I guess they needed to save some money for something else - like a legit top line player perhaps?
But let's not sit around here and say the move was done to make room for the prospects and then talk about how signing Huselius makes any sort of sense.
We don't have a 24 year old grinder that scored 50 points.
What I find interesting about your post is that you typed it like resigning Kuba was the only thing they could have possibly done.
Because I was assuming you had the common sense to realize that you aren't going to just hand pick a UFA and he is going to magically appear in Ottawa.
Exacty. And loading all your resources on shutting down Karlsson will only open up more ice for our 2nd pairing offensive D-Man......... Whoever that may be.
My thoughts exactly. The big problem with the Sens in the upcoming season is that there are only 2 real dangerous players. Teams can focus on them and likely win the majority of the time. We're going to really need Turris and Gonchar to step up to pull out some tough wins in a better conference this season.
Because I was assuming you had the common sense to realize that you aren't going to just hand pick a UFA and he is going to magically appear in Ottawa.
Yes, apparently it is impossible for Ottawa to sign FA's.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BK201
We don't have a 24 year old grinder that scored 50 points.
My thoughts exactly. The big problem with the Sens in the upcoming season is that there are only 2 real dangerous players. Teams can focus on them and likely win the majority of the time. We're going to really need Turris and Gonchar to step up to pull out some tough wins in a better conference this season.
The team scored the 4th most goals in the league last year with almost the exact same lineup. You could even argue that with offensive players like Silfverberg, Zibanejad, Stone and to an extent Regin and Latendresse being incorporated in the lineup with varying amounts of icetime this season means that they could have the opportunity to be even more offensively potent.
If the Sens only have 2 dangerous players, shouldn't other teams have shut them down more easily last year?
OR, he could have signed some defensive help. And kept Nick.
Also an option if you, you know, wanted to keep a 24 yr old grinder who scored 50 pts... cause you could have done that. 3 million for Nick, 3 million for Dman... still barely at the cap. Wouldn't be accused of overspending. 3 million isn't what it used to be fellas - get used to it.
But BM didn't like that an option and they wanted Methot. OK. I guess they needed to save some money for something else - like a legit top line player perhaps?
But let's not sit around here and say the move was done to make room for the prospects and then talk about how signing Huselius makes any sort of sense.
With the exception of Suter (someone we never would have gotten) the crop of UFA D sucked this year.
