DrakeAndJosh
Intangibles
Check out this excellent article arguing against Karlsson's perceived defensive shortcomings.
http://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/581116
Also has some great visual evidence (for those who don't believe in numbers) breaking down Karlsson's excellent defensive (and offensive) abilities. I highly suggest reading this article.
http://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/581116
Erik Karlsson is the NHL’s most dynamic puck carrier, which often allows him to break the Senators out without help
Karlsson compiled the most zone entrances with possession among all D-men, and it wasn’t close. His total was 117. The next closest Sens D-man had 22 (Cody Ceci) and the next closest NHL defender in the league was Brian Campbell, who recorded 46 fewer controlled entries over that same time frame (71)
They did well off all those zone entrances too, averaging a shot roughly 70 percent of the time.
In terms of zone exits, Karlsson's 36 percent success rate on touches is also unparalleled. Only Kris Letang (33.2 percent), Keith Yandle (32.2 percent) and Ken Hitchcock's three best puckmovers (Shattenkirk, Pietrangelo and Bouwmeester, all over 31 percent) are in the same stratosphere, and even then, not really
And finally, Karlsson is also solid when it comes to defending zone entries, as opponents managed just a 54.5 percent carry-in against rate (very good) and he managed a breakup rate above 10 percent (also very good).
Also has some great visual evidence (for those who don't believe in numbers) breaking down Karlsson's excellent defensive (and offensive) abilities. I highly suggest reading this article.