Maz Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 Last night Erik Karlsson had 4 assists, which marks the second time this season he's posted a 4 point game. The significance of this being he's now in a tie with Jamie Benn for second (!!) in the NHL in points with 59 in 53 games including currently leading the league in assists. This is pretty impressive stuff I'd say no matter where you're coming from, but the question I'd like to pose is who do you guys think is the best D-man in the NHL currently? Obviously the name defensemen is primarily composed of the word defence for a reason. The primary concern with Karlsson being the best D-man in the league has always come down too him being too much of a free-wheeler and basically just being a forward with him jumping up on the rush and not focusing enough on shutting down the opposition. However, if you rate a Dman based on being an impact player for their team, you can't deny what he's doing this season (and others for that matter) is pretty impressive stuff. And with him already having won 2 Norris trophies at the tender age of 25, is Karlsson the best defenseman in the NHL? Now unfortunately, the best D often goes to whoever has the most points which kind of defeats the purpose. There's many factors that go into being the best such as shutdown ability, physicality, skating, ability to breakout, passing, shooting etc. Here are the other candidates I'd consider at the top, I'm interested to hear your guys' thoughts. Its also fun to dream about one day having a guy like this one day as currently we don't have any game changing defenseman. Shea Weber - the fact that this guy hasn't won a Norris already is a bit of a farce IMO. Has consistently been one of, if not the most well rounded D in the league for a long time now. Perfect combo of shutdown, size, physicality, offense and obviously that cannon of a shot Duncan Keith - As much as I hate him, i'd love to have him. The other guy with 2 Norris' at this point, he also has the cups to go with it obviously and you can't deny the impact he's had on the Hawks winning their championships. So skilled, great skater, tough as nails (dirty), runs the offense so well. Drew Doughty - not as big a stats guy, but in a similar manner to Keith, has the cups and was a HUGE reason why. This guy eats up massive minutes for LA and is about as solid as they come. So smooth, best shutdown guy? Great possession numbers, he does it all. Brent Burns - Burns is a bit of an anomaly to me. Is he forward or D? Who even knows. All I know is that he's ugly and really good at hockey. PK Subban - hate him or love him, he's a game changing dynamic defenseman. Maybe a bit trigger happy but he's physical, has a huge clapper, aggressive, powerful, and has the ability to be the best player on the ice when he wants. Others: Letang, OEL, Suter, Byfuglien, Giordano, and I think Ekblad (not yet but could be at the top in a few years time). Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
73 Percent Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 I watched a few games this year and although karlsson is a force offensively,he is part of the reason that the sens suck ass. For him to be considered the nhls top defenseman in my eyes he needs to do other things than lead the rush. Shea weber gets my vote. Also think Seabrook is super underrated. I don't know about norris caliber but damn he's good at both ends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baer. Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 OEL should be on your list, instead of just an HM. Coyotes brass were pretty upset he wasn't at the ASG. The guy radiates eliteness. On a team like NSH, LAK or FLA, theres no question in my mind he'd be a Norris candidate. Guy carries the yotes defense on his back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyLuciano Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 TJ Brodie is the best dman in the world! -CBC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warhippy Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 Best offensive? Karlsson Best defensive? Tie between Doughty/Ekblad atm Best overall? Keith Ekblad Doughty Pick your poison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jägermeister Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 I think Shea Weber is the most complete Dman in the league. Doughty and Keith, as much as I dislike them, are a close 2nd and 3rd. In a few years I think it will be Ekblad's title to hold. Karlsson is a treat to watch and incredibly skilled, but I can't get over the fact that he is simply average at defending. He's not a guy I would be confident in putting out with 2 minutes left to defend a 1 goal lead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancin'Droid Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 17 minutes ago, LuckyLuciano said: TJ Brodie is the best dman in the world! -CBC But is he as good as 18 year old Bennett? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryanstorm Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 Yanick Weber. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatedkid666 Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 Subban and Burns shouldnt even be in the conversation overrated. Karlsson for me, the guy plays 35 minutes a game sometimes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuck73_3 Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 Duncan Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MovesLikeDatsyuk Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 Going to go ahead and say Doughty Or Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nowhereman Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 Doughty or Keith. Can't go wrong with either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lockhart Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 If I was to add one D-man to this team, it would be Ekblad, when you consider what he's doing and the age he is. I'm not saying he's the best right now, but he's 10 years younger than a lot of the guys that people are mentioning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedintwinpowersactivate Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 Karlsson for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coconuts Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 Shea Weber for me, it's ridiculous that he hasn't won a Norris yet. Most complete defenseman in the league. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nd1989 Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 karlsson for best offensive dman Doughty best overall Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 Aaron Rome is where the money is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monty Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 Either Keith or Doughty. Both incredibly smart, responsible defensively, and step up their game ten fold come playoff time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldnews Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 Giordano. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SergioMomesso Posted February 8, 2016 Share Posted February 8, 2016 If I were allowed to pick one Dman to start a team up with this October. Here would my choice from 1-5 Doughty Ekblad Karlsson Weber Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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