Erik Karlsson

# 65 • D • Ottawa Senators

The concept of elite NHL defensemen has evolved rapidly over the last two decades.

From Al MacInnis to Scott Niedermayer to Nicklas Lidstrom, Norris Trophy voters have come to appreciate the art of the two-way defenseman: a guy who can shut down plays in his own end while driving goals for his own team at an equally high rate.

But even those hallowed hockey names don’t have the pure vision and innate playmaking ability that Erik Karlsson does. He is as special as any NHL defenseman to play the game.

And as handsome. But we will g—

Erik.

So we’ll start off with a stat and an exercise. Please name, off the top of your head, the three best passers in the NHL right now.

...

Correct! Sidney Crosby, Joe Thornton and Nicklas Backstrom. It’s funny you mentioned that, since those three centers have the most assists of any NHL player since 2013-14. The fourth?

Erik Karlsson, with 195 apples. And with considerably less talent around him than the three players ahead of him. Since that ‘13-14 season, Karlsson has gone on a run not seen by an NHL defenseman before, with 252 points that sit 71 points ahead of his blue line peers.

Since 2011-12, Karlsson has ranked in the top three of all players in total goals-on-ice-for. And it’s not like Ottawa’s been a goal-scoring menace during that time; it's ranked among the league’s worst in goals-for recently.

So what makes Karlsson so special? His vision and quick thinking. And frankly, his confidence.

Few players would ever try a home run pass through the center of the ice with regularity. But Karlsson does, and he succeeds because he knows a window when he sees it and he knows he can thread a puck through it.

And he knows, like every great player does, that his greatness can be used to his advantage. Karlsson’s slap shot isn’t the strongest, but it’s sneaky. But he’s so creative with it. Watch him wind up for a slap shot from the point only to slap pass it straight to a waiting Jason Spezza. I really can’t describe how hard that is to do, much less complete it right on the money.

That willingness to try things differently places Karlsson on a level higher than his defensive peers. And it’s not just the plays that lead to goals. It’s the small things he’ll attempt that wouldn’t cross the minds of other defensemen.

When challenged at the point by two defenders, the simple play is to just dump the puck in quickly. Just pop the escape hatch. Sometimes Karlsson will do that. But sometimes, he’ll deke both of them and set up a scoring chance.

Karlsson’s not the only defenseman who could pull that off. But he’s probably the only one willing to consider that a legitimate option.

And that’s a beautiful thing. If there’s one thing hockey tries to squeeze out of its players, it’s creativity. Don’t get cute. Make the simple play. Do all the little things right. Most coaches hate flashiness. It’s hard to blame them: If a cute play goes wrong, it usually ends up in the back of your own net.

But you know what? Fans love it. Highlight-reel, puck-on-a-string plays are what makes hockey appealing. And that a defenseman like Karlsson is one of the sport’s most electric players is just a good indication of where the future of the sport is headed. What it can be.

Another thing the NHL tries to squeeze out of its sport is personality. Which is a shame, because the sport is absolutely littered with personality. P.K. Subban is just a joy. Alex Ovechkin is hockey energy at its rawest form.

But Erik Karlsson is cool confidence the likes of which hockey is unfamiliar with.

Exhibit A: When you search "Erik Karlsson," the first thing Google tries to autosuggest is "Erik Karlsson flow" because his hair is BEAUTIFUL. Karlsson is the answer to the question, "What if an archetypal heroic Swedish knight played hockey?" He is a handsome man.

And he knows it. The internet is flooded with GIFs of Karlsson winking. He’s also just a fun dude; an elite player who doesn’t take himself too seriously when the situation calls for some levity.

But when the situation calls for leadership, Ottawa’s captain answers the call. Karlsson had the honor of learning from Daniel Alfredsson. Since earning the "C," Karlsson has grown into the unquestioned leader of the Senators.

And that leadership rounds Erik Karlsson into the perfect balance of everything people love about hockey. Old-school types can appreciate his work ethic and dedication to his team. The stats community can appreciate his unique offensive output from his position. Young fans can become enamored with his unparalleled charisma on and off the ice. And new fans can use his electric talents as a conduit for their burgeoning love of the sport.

Erik Karlsson is special because his appeal is universal.