Fansided

One player from each NHL team who should be on the NHL 18 cover

By David Rouben

Nov 2, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) prepares to throw pucks to the crowd after the game against the Vancouver Canucks at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) prepares to throw pucks to the crowd after the game against the Vancouver Canucks at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 28, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) during the warmup period against Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) during the warmup period against Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

Ottawa Senators: Erik Karlsson

EA has already put a defenseman who plays for the Ottawa Senators on their cover once. But that player was Dion Phaneuf… so let’s try that again.

Erik Karlsson is the best defenseman in the league. He’s known for his offensive versatility, but unlike most defensemen, he doesn’t just score by taking slap shots. He’s much more creative than that. With three 70-point seasons, he has more of those than Jonathan Toews, and two of those 70-point seasons resulted in a Norris trophy.

He lost it last season, which was the best of his career – he had 66 assists and 82 points – in favor of Drew Doughty because he was long overdue. But without Doughty, the Kings are still a good team. Despite Karlsson’s season last year, they finished 11th in the East – imagine where they would be without him.

Because of his outstanding offensive numbers, there’s a gross misconception that Karlsson is terrible in his own end. But he has excellent vision, particularly in his outlet passes, and the fact that he’s such a mobile defenseman makes it hard for opponents to even enter the Senators’ zone. When Karlsson is not on the ice, the Senators give up three more shots against than when he’s on the ice.

Forwards get praised for having a two-way game, so why can’t defensemen? Having Karlsson is like having a fourth forward, but just because he’s not a stay-at-home defenseman, that doesn’t mean he’s bad in his own zone. And while Craig Anderson has been lights out this season, Karlsson remains their most important player. Hopefully the PHWA will recognize that and give him the Norris again this season.

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