Would Erik Karlsson be a top 6 forward?

[Snippit]

Simple.

If you told EK that he was to suddenly switch positions play forward, would he be top 6 calibre?

Messed up the poll options: "Yes" is just top 6 but not top line.

Click to read more...

 

[ottawa]

Would Erik "can't play defense" Karlsson be a good top 6 forward?

*shrug* probably

He's the best offensive defenseman and his defense to offense transition game is elite so I think that would help him.

 

[BM14]

Would Toews be a top 4 D man if he switched positions?

 

[Agent Zub]

With his playmaking, skating and creativity he would make a great Center.

 

[bert]

Would Erik "can't play defense" Karlsson be a good top 6 forward?

*shrug* probably

He's the best offensive defenseman and his defense to offense transition game is elite so I think that would help him.

Another quality post.

This entire thread is ridiculous.

 

[jetsforever]

Probably win a Selke

 

[CanadienShark]

Yes, but he's far better as a d-man.

 

[hairylikebear]

It's a pretty major adjustment. His inexperience with forechecking will hold back his entire line at first, and I suspect he might struggle with his positioning and assignments. Forwards will often peel off their marks and hand them off to the defensemen, but someone like Karlsson might fall into a habit of tracking his guy too long and losing someone else.

However, given enough time, Karlsson would adapt and be a PPG top line forward, I'm sure.

 

[Big Cactus]

Burns was a top 6 forward. If he could do it I’d put money on EK having similar success.

 

[Korpse]

Burns was a top 6 forward. If he could do it I’d put money on EK having similar success.

Burns was drafted as a forward but transitioned to a Defensemen when he turned pro.

Erik would probably be a fine Forward over time but his skill set really shines as a defensmen.

 

[VoluntaryDom]

He wouldn’t be as elite as he is now as a dman but top line for sure

 

[Spirit of 67]

Yes.

He'd also be a top 10 goalie.

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

Already is.

 

[6 Karlsson 5]

Already is.

Forward, defence, still better than anyone on the bruins

 

[pheasant]

None of us can really know. But "top 6" is vague and open enough that I would confidently answer "yes."

There's some pretty bland wingers out there who play a top 6 role. So it seems pretty plausible that Karlsson would be just as good as some of them.

 

[Samsquanch]

Burns was drafted as a forward but transitioned to a Defensemen when he turned pro.

Erik would probably be a fine Forward over time but his skill set really shines as a defensmen.

Burns was a Dman in Brampton, Im almost positive. Pretty sure that it was the Wild that started using him up front first, but he's a always been a dman at heart.

 

[Midnight Judges]

I don't see why not. Dude has elite talent.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Anything Burns can do, Karlsson can do better, right?

 

[authentic]

Yes.

 

[hotcabbagesoup]

Burns was a Dman in Brampton, Im almost positive. Pretty sure that it was the Wild that started using him up front first, but he's a always been a dman at heart.

That's not what his heart says.

Asked recently as a day ago about this, Brent Burns said: "People want to say that me and Karlsson bicker for the same position [top D-man on a great team like the Sharks] but I play forward so I don't care where they put me."

 

[hotcabbagesoup]

That's not what his heart says.

Asked recently as a day ago about this, Brent Burns said: "People want to say that me and Karlsson bicker for the same position [top D-man on a great team like the Sharks] but I play forward so I don't care where they put me."

No Burnzie fans around the Polls forum?

 

[Korpse]

Burns was a Dman in Brampton, Im almost positive. Pretty sure that it was the Wild that started using him up front first, but he's a always been a dman at heart.

I was pretty sure he was a forward but regardless he spent parts of his career as both before he even played a game of bro hockey. He was familiar with both. And his skill set would translate a lot better.

 

[sr edler]

Pretty sure that it was the Wild that started using him up front first, but he's a always been a dman at heart.

You simply cannot know what's in another mans heart.

 

[ijuka]

Actually, I've suggested that in Swedish Olympic teams and the like, playing him as a forward might be worth consideration. Well, perhaps not at this point in time but Sweden's D just is so much stronger than their F.

 

[tony d]

Yes he would.