Will Erik Karlsson have a top 4 role on team Sweden in the Olympics?

[Ben White]

Revisiting this topic as many where hesitant he’d even make the team a few months ago.

Click to read more...

 

[Sun God Nika]

18 pts in 22 games, solid rebound he is having hope he follows past seasons trends and goes on a even hotter streak after the all star break.

 

[Huokaus]

Quite an interesting topic; though it would be more interesting if Karlsson wasn't having as good of a season as he is having now. National teams tend to have their own different criteria for roster roles, and current NHL performance isn't always as heavily weighed as one might think. Even if Karlsson's season was terrible, he would probably still have a chance of getting a major role in Tre Kronor, just because he's Erik Karlsson, one of the most recognizable names in Swedish hockey and is somewhat of a leadership figure.

Voted yes.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

18 pts in 22 games, solid rebound he is having hope he follows past seasons trends and goes on a even hotter streak after the all star break.

The points come almost automatically for EK, as dumb as it sounds, I'm not sure that's ever an indication of his 'true play' (minus extreme dips or surges obviously).

However my buddies have said in the last week or two he is in full flight, I'm sure some Sharks fans can confirm, and if that's even remotely the case, he should absolutely have at least a spot. He's a Swedish legacy.

 

[Sensinitis]

Likely to be 1st pairing and 1st PP with Hedman

 

[Boreal01]

Hedman-Klingberg
Brodin-Karlsson
Lindholm-Andersson
Ekholm/Dahlin

 

[ESH]

Likely to be 1st pairing and 1st PP with Hedman

Makes more sense to put them on different pairings and give them some solid defensive partners like Brodin/Ekholm/Lindholm

 

[wetcoast]

Makes more sense to put them on different pairings and give them some solid defensive partners like Brodin/Ekholm/Lindholm

Pretty much this.

As for the OP , I have no idea on what is in the Swedish coaching team philosophy for the Olympics but I’d be very surprised if he wasn’t on the team just on reputation and experience.

 

[biturbo19]

I think it probably ultimately comes down to how the chemistry and role deployment fits, more than anything else. If he fits with Hedman, he'll be playing in a de facto "top pairing" role. If not, who knows where exactly he fits in. The other RHD in Klingberg and Andersson kind of fill a similar sort of role, so it's going to be a project trying to put the whole thing together, and i wouldn't even be surprised if they brought a RHD that's completely different, like Adam Larsson, just to have that element. You can only have so many guys on the PP, you're gonna need some RHD for the PK and stuff.

 

[koyvoo]

Wouldn’t be shocked if he steals the show

 

[jetsforever]

Yeah, track record definitely matters

 

[bobholly39]

Yes. He's having a nice bounceback season. He's top 2 with Hedman. They may play on separate pairings, but they'll be their top 2 defensemen.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I wouldn’t select him for the team. Way too much of a defensive liability, and Sweden has top pairing defenseman that won’t even make it.

 

[Adele Dazeem]

Legitimately gives Sweden a decent shot; without him their chances are slim to none.

 

[Agent Zub]

I wouldn’t select him for the team. Way too much of a defensive liability, and Sweden has top pairing defenseman that won’t even make it.

terrible prospect takes and now player?

Where does it stop.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

Karlsson has a history of playing his best hockey while representing his country.
He may even be first pair with Hedman.

 

[Buck Naked]

Hopefully gonna look something like Hedman, Karlsson, Klingberg, Lindholm, Andersson, Brodin to start. Forsling as a 7th and then Dahlin or Ekholm as a joker.

 

[Xspyrit]

terrible prospect takes and now player?

Where does it stop.

It doesn't stop. I don't think there's another sport than hockey where fans understand so little about the game in general. To be honest, it's a complicated sport, a lot of moving parts and it goes pretty fast

 

[Karl Eriksson]

Hedman would probably love that

 

[Stewie Griffin]

Apparently not since he doesn't want to go

 

[SHANNYPLAN]

Hedman - - Karlsson
Lindholm - Klingberg
Ekholm - - - - Brodin

 

[KoozNetsOff 92]

Sounds like he doesn't want to go so I'll say no.