Karlsson v Doughty: Who's the NHL's best defenseman?

Who's the NHL's best defenseman - Erik Karlsson or Drew Doughty? Cast your vote on the banner below.

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Erik Karlsson is the NHL's best defenseman

Karlsson is more than just on track to lead all defenseman in scoring for the third consecutive season - his eye-popping numbers have him in the top five in NHL scoring. If he finishes there, he'll become just the fourth defenseman with multiple top-10 seasons. The 25-year-old defending Norris Trophy winner is seeing the ice for more than 29 minutes per game - tops in the league - thanks to an increased role as a penalty killer. Those critical of Karlsson's deficiencies as a prototypical shutdown defenseman overlook how his strong possession game keeps the Senators out of their own end and pushes the edge in shots on goal in Ottawa's favor.

Drew Doughty is the NHL's best defenseman

A defenseman's responsibilities extend beyond the offensive zone, which is why Doughty's plus/minus is over 20 points better than Karlsson's. Doughty's ability to control play makes him a true two-way star. That's not to knock the Kings blueliner's ability to generate offense - he's on pace to tally more points this season than he's had since 2009-10. He was also the linchpin of Canada's offering in Sochi in 2014 - one of the most dominant performances in Olympic history. A two-time Stanley Cup champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist, Doughty has proven himself to be a winner. He's sure to add a Norris Trophy to his mantle in the near future.

Who do you think is the NHL's best defenseman - Erik Karlsson or Drew Doughty? Cast your vote on the banner below.

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