Since 2011-2012, who has been the best Defenseman in the NHL

[1967th Heaven]

Since the beginning of the 2011-12 season it seems like there have been a lot of Dmen in the conversation for best in the leauge. Over that time frame, there have been four different Norris winners (Karlsson twice):

2011-12 -> Karlsson
2012-13 -> Subban
2013-14 -> Keith
2014-15 -> Karlsson
2015-16 -> Doughty

These four have been terrific, obviously Shea Weber has been consistently great, Zdeno Chara more so at the beginning of that time frame, Brent Burns the past few years and I think a few other guys you could argue as well.

So what do you think, using the sample size of the beginning of the 2011-12 season until the present day, who has been THE best defensemen in the NHL

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[izzy]

Keith
Suter

 

[Puckstop40]

Nick Holden

 

[YourAverageFan*]

Dennis Wideman

 

[Sureves]

It's Karlsson and I personally don't think it's close at all.

 

[authentic]

Karlsson.

 

[AINEC*]

Karlsson AINEC

 

[Weast]

+1 for EK

 

[Altimus]

Loaded question. All candidates are awesome.

 

[Pi]

To be honest, I think it's Karlsson followed closely by Phaneuf, then the rest. Phaneuf if you recall was a Norris contender for the first 25 games in 2011 according to Wilson. Can't beat that.

 

[Nedved]

It's Karlsson and I personally don't think it's close at all.

 

[Minnesota]

Karlsson.

 

[Terry Yake]

sbisa

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

Very clearly Karlsson.

 

[Sting]

Only one player has had a legit shot at four Norris trophies during that timeframe and that is Erik Karlsson.

In 2012/2013 he was well on his way before the infamous Achilles slice. Last year he was a lock until Ottawa missed the playoffs.

 

[The List Of Jericho]

Gotta be Karlsson

 

[hamzarocks]

Letang was the best in 12/13 imo. He was also top 3 in 14/15 and 15/16(sadly injuries took away what looked like a norris in 14/15.). My personal top 5 has been

1a) Karlsson
1b) Letang
3) Keith
4) Doughty
5) Subban

Since 11/12.

 

[I Hate Blake Coleman]

Keith is always solid. Karlsson's hype depends on his production. Keith is nearly always consistent.

 

[CCM19]

It's Karlsson.

Love him or hate him it's true

 

[portamoral]

dostin bofflien is up there

 

[Koivu11]

The guy who's won a Conn Smythe during that timeframe.

Duncan Keith.

 

[silkyjohnson50]

The former Nashville pairing of Weber and Suter are the best two in that time frame that haven't won a Norris.

Keith and Doughty both have a Norris and 2 Cups in that time frame.

Karlsson with the 2 Norris'.

Subban with the Norris, but I'd rank him behind the other Norris winners and the former Nashville duo.

Keith
Doughty
Suter
Weber

Would be 4 of my top 5 with Karlsson. Who I'd rank first? I can't comfortably say I'd select Karlsson despite his offensive gap. The other 4 are guys that you want on the ice in all situations against everybody since 11-12.

 

[Erik Alfredsson]

Karlsson's the guy. If he wasn't being called the best defenseman, he was everyone's runner up every year. You know, all the hate and arguments that surround this guy, it's really unfortunate, and I'm done with it baby! I'm just going to appreciate the guy for what he is, a damn Beast Mode Cowboy!

 

[barkovcanfinnish]

I hate to be "that guy", but I really have a tough time saying Karlsson simply due to the lack of playoff success.

I'm fine with him being #1 among most, but for me it's Duncan Keith.

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

Mark Stuart


But right now I'd say either Karlsson, Keith, Doughty or Burns.