This should be bolded and pinned........Karlsson is not a golf or tennis player. How have the Sens management supported him to succeed? By giving him derp as a defensive partner? The guy is good but seriously do you expect him to cook your hot dog at intermission too? What has he got to work with?
Absolutely! and I love that about his game but honestly are we really helping him to succeed without a defensive partner that compliments him ? I'm not saying that Kuba was a world beater but he worked with EK and covered him and let EK to what he does best. Right now EK doesn't have that guy....so I'm hoping that Methot can come back quick...or we give the guy a break in that he doesn't have a partner that fits and enhances his game.
I just want the Sens to succeed while we have generational talent in EK not waste it away finding a linewife for him......please don't shoot me ok?
Stone-Lazar duo had the same number of takeaways (4) as all other senators combined even though they played like 12 minutes each.
Blaming EKs partners for his mistakes/weaknesses is just a refusal to accept reality.
The right question is, name one of the top D in the NHL that is worse than EK in the defensive zone ATM?
Playing with EK isn't easy and in the D-Zone it can become almost impossible.
Best line on the ice for either team last night for either team and I hope you aren't downplaying the role Hoffman played on that line.
Hoffman was great. I'm baffled why he didn't see any powerplay time at all.
He was pretty pad on the PP during preseason
I hate all you guys. If we drive Karlsson away because you get the media busting his balls constantly, I don't know how I could associate myself with this fanbase. All this neckbeard ranting about him is all you guys can do.
Yeah, they should give Kuba and Methot a medal for having to do it. Cowen and Phillips too if they keep being stuck with him.
I get that some people refuse to admit his weaknesses, as an example, on the Versteeg play, 99% of other D wouldn't have even gotten back on time to make that mistake as he would have already had the breakaway. Also, wth was Smith doing on that play.
He was pretty pad on the PP during preseason
He was pretty pad on the PP during preseason
It seems you might be one of those people that refuse to admit his weaknesses as you attempt to defend them by countering with his strengths.
It also seems that what he did in the past is the basis for your evaluation of his current play.
I haven't read in this thread any suggestions that EK doesn't skate well or is an offensive liability.
Fact is EK hasn't been good defensively (last night being his worst game) and his struggles cannot be blamed on his partner.
Any suggestions his problems can be solved by a "better" partner are just ignoring the current reality IMO.
I hate all you guys. If we drive Karlsson away because you get the media busting his balls constantly, I don't know how I could associate myself with this fanbase. All this neckbeard ranting about him is all you guys can do.
I hate all you guys. If we drive Karlsson away because you get the media busting his balls constantly, I don't know how I could associate myself with this fanbase. All this neckbeard ranting about him is all you guys can do.
I agree with you. We all know EK's defence isn't all-world, but he can still defend very effectively given his unique skill set. The issue is, we are not putting him in a position to succeed without at least a #3 D (methot or equivalent), or better, a true #2 D. Like you said, even a Kuba-level defenceman would be good enough. Phillips, although he is having a superb start to the season, nor Cowen, are set for the job.
I realize we likely won't be acquiring a true #2 any time soon, so for the short term we need Methot back. Long term, I'm hoping Cowen can really take it to the next level in the next couple of years, or a kid in the pipeline eventually steps up.
Too bad about the Versteeg goal. He actually made a great defensive play coming back, then did the stick wave thing.
Hoffman was great. I'm baffled why he didn't see any powerplay time at all.