Karlsson fully healthy is absolutely elite defensively.
OFD’s are still stigmatized to this day imo. If you are an elite offensive guy, you must be weak defensively. A lot of west coast fans buy into the lies about his game too if they don’t see him much.
There’s the saying that the best defense is a great offense, but I’m not even referring to that. Karlsson is a takeaway wizard, and can outskate 99.9% of the league to get back after pinching. Only knock is he’s too aggressive sometimes and gets caught out of position. Schmidt would be arguably the best defensive partner he ever had vs. probably Methot. McNabb would be dynamite with him too.
Karlsson doesn’t even get outmuscled in the corners by many people. Very wiry strong human being.
I consider break outs a defensive attribute. Karlsson is the best transition player in the league, and one of the best all time. That’s not just his skating, but his passing, IQ and vision.
The guy is 28 years old, and assuming the package is something like Theodore, Glass, a B level prospect, and a pick or two wouldn’t gut the team in the slightest.
McNabb - Karlsson
Schmidt - Miller
Fleury
That’s easily a contending back end, and that right side would provide a ton of offense. This would be the best team Karlsson has ever played on.
Defensive depth and center depth win championships. Having Karlsson over Theodore in the last cup run would’ve definitely changed a game or two in the final. He dragged a very mediocre team into the finals two years ago on one foot. Plus, Fleury is a Hall of Famer, but he’s not getting any younger. Karlsson, even losing a step, is still a 25 minute a night 60+ point defender. I don’t even think that happens until he’s roughly 32-33. He fits right in with the core age of this team that is primed to contend over the next 2-3 years or more.