Darkhorse Norris Candidate: John Carlson?

[maplehawk]

31 pts (tied for 4th amongst D)
+15 (tied for 5th amongst D)
96 Blocks (13th amongst D overall, 1st amongst D with 25+ pts)
3+ mins of PK time per game

he has taken a massive step forward this season. his numbers across the board are comparable to Giordano, Weber, Karlsson while averaging about 4 minutes less per game.

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[strigvon]

His numbers seem very good, but I think it will be usual suspects race once again.

 

[Acallabeth]

He's definitely a contender for the trophy this year.
Amazing what getting rid of Oates can do, right?

 

[Derrty]

I doubt it, but good for him.

 

[Sam Spade]

Love Carslon but I want to see Big Buff get a nomination.

 

[CraigsList]

Underrated.

 

[HunterSThompson]

Should be, won't be.

 

[Hivemind]

Should be, won't be.

Pretty much this. He'll finish between 5-10th in the voting, most likely.

 

[Poulin 0n My St1ck]

Should be, won't be.

Basically. At this point in the season, he should be a top 3 candidate.

 

[NyQuil]

It's usually a bit of a process to get into the collective heads of the media.

Definitely a step in the right direction.

 

[hockey4sale]

league wide perception that Caps=Ovechkin is hurting recognition of other players like Backstrom or JC...

I do think that JC is having a breakout season, doubt he wins it though, just not enough hype around his name, that golden goal at WJC was a while ago and largely forgotten, he needs couple of game 7 goals before people put him on the list

 

[Aela*]

I'd like to see Buff or Yandle get consideration before Carlson but he should be up there.

 

[third man in]

Plus most of his points have come 5x5.

 

[trick9]

Lack of PP points and time (compared to every other D in top-10) is hurting him too much.

 

[Nordique]

Lack of PP points and time (compared to every other D in top-10) is hurting him too much.

Not picking on you, but that's the opposite of the argument I've heard on this board against Shattenkirk.

Personally, I think they are both having great years, and they are the case in point for why defense is a multidimensional position, and you can't limit the criteria
for the Norris. You have to look at the entire body of work of these guys, and what impact they have on the game. They both deserve to be in the conversation,
whether or not that means they become finalists.

 

[Carlzner]

He has slowly been getting Norris noise around the league. If he continues his play (He started the first 10-15 games a little slow), don't be surprised if he finishes top 3. Won't win though.

It should also be noted that out of his 31 points, 24 of them have come at Even Strength. He is overshadowed by Green and Niskanen on the PP right now, but he would probably top 2 in the league if he was getting more PP time.

 

[Skobel24]

At this point, it's going to be Giordano or Shattenkirk.

 

[Boumsalot]

Norris always goes to the most overrated player, it's probably gonna be Doughty this year.

 

[Nordique]

Norris always goes to the most overrated player, it's probably gonna be Doughty this year.

Well NHL.com ran an article last week about him being Norris worthy. 12th in the league in points and an umimpressive +2.......but those are just stats so what the hell do I know

 

[ThePsychicSaw]

He's so overrated not under.

Points sure. But he is not a consistent responsible defender and hasn't been since playoffs under hunter (which that season he was inconsistent too).

He has the capability and I expect him to just kill it in the playoffs. But he just looks bored at times and does horrible bone headed plays that are completely avoidable.

Would never trade him. Alzy and Carly should be caps for the rest of their careers. But people obviously don't watch enough of him and try to tout him as underrated.

 

[Blades of Steel]

He's so overrated not under.

how can you possibly be overrated when you're never mentioned?

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

He's so overrated not under.

Points sure. But he is not a consistent responsible defender and hasn't been since playoffs under hunter (which that season he was inconsistent too).

He has the capability and I expect him to just kill it in the playoffs. But he just looks bored at times and does horrible bone headed plays that are completely avoidable.

Would never trade him. Alzy and Carly should be caps for the rest of their careers. But people obviously don't watch enough of him and try to tout him as underrated.

Totally false. In your mind, the occasional mistake = over rated?

 

[That Habs Fan]

He's been sort of flying under the radar, love both him and Alzner.

 

[Jeti]

I admit I haven't paid attention to the Caps this year. I called him a defensive defenseman in another thread a couple days ago

Love Carslon but I want to see Big Buff get a nomination.

As incredible as Buff has been for the last month and a half, it's not enough to get a Norris nomination if you mean final 3. If it was 70+ games like that, I'm sure he'd be up there though. You are aware Buff has received Norris votes in other years though right? He just never finished top 3.

 

[The Macho King]

From the games I've watched, he's been Washington's best player. Glad he is putting it together.