There has been some discussion in a Luongo-P. Kane trade thread about the value of Edler. Invariably, fans of one team view Edler as top pairing Dman, even top 15 in the league (i.e. a true No. 1). There has been a comparison to Seabrook too.
This is a poll comparing Seabrook vs Edler, now and in the future. Who would you want?
Edler because the offensive gap between the two is bigger than the one defensively. Edler on his game is as good defensively as Seabrook, but he is very inconsistent. Edler, but it's very close
Seabrook is far more proven as a defensive presence, and has shown the ability time and time again to shut down the elite offensive players in the NHL. Edler does not even play the shutdown role on his own team.
Edler clearly has the advantage offensively, no one is disputing that.
But which category is more important for a defenseman? And it isn't like Seabrook is a chump in the offensive part of the game - his first pass is ridiculously underrated and is actually probably better than Edler's.
Edler has not shown himself to be capable of neutralizing the opposition's highest scorers.
Seabrook is far more proven as a defensive presence, and has shown the ability time and time again to shut down the elite offensive players in the NHL. Edler does not even play the shutdown role on his own team.
Edler clearly has the advantage offensively, no one is disputing that.
But which category is more important for a defenseman? And it isn't like Seabrook is a chump in the offensive part of the game - his first pass is ridiculously underrated and is actually probably better than Edler's.
Edler has not shown himself to be capable of neutralizing the opposition's highest scorers.
Seabrook is a better overall defenseman.
So by this logic, Seabrook>Karlsson.
Edler is significantly better offensively, and is more than capable defensively. I think he's about one step away from fixing his consistency and becoming the dominant player he can be.
I guess by the OP's criteria it would be Seabrook now, Edler future, with the future possibly being as early as next season, depending on how consistent he is.
I feel Edler has a higher ceiling though and could easily surpass Seabrook. Not to mention Seabrook has a top 5 Dman as a partner. Something Edler has never benefited from.
Edler is significantly better offensively, and is more than capable defensively. I think he's about one step away from fixing his consistency and becoming the dominant player he can be.
I guess by the OP's criteria it would be Seabrook now, Edler future, with the future possibly being as early as next season, depending on how consistent he is.
Karlsson is a lot better offensively than Edler is. He is so dominant in that category, the fact that his defense isn't on par with Seabrook's becomes obsolete.
Edler guy often gets underrated. In fact he's underrated by his own fanbase most of the time.
Edler's a little inconsistent at times in his own end, but the guy has all the tools to be so much more, and he's proven it, more times than not. Offensively he's great and should continue to outpoint Seabrook in the years ahead.
This, Edler put up 49 points playing with a 40 year old glass Salo. He'd easily put up 50-60+ playing with Keith
Heh, I guess people still haven't realized that Seabrook helps Keith a ton more these days than Keith helps Seabrook... but what else is new on HF?
Edler racks up a lot of his points on the PP. If he was on the Hawks playing ES minutes with Keith, I am almost 100% sure his point totals would drop. Chicago's PP sucks. And no, Edler wouldn't be the one to fix it. It's not a personnel problem... at least, not at the point.
Seabrook. Edler is a fine player, more offensive while Seabrook is more defensive. In the end, one of these two plays like a drunk in the playoffs. I'll settle for the sober one.
