Erik Karlsson is the complete defenseman
We know that Erik Karlsson can score.
He's done it for years. Making his NHL debut in 2009, the 26-year-old has already amassed 416 points to his name. Career-wise, his total goals and assists both rank within the top 100 in league history.
This season, Karlsson outpaces all defensemen in points, as he's done each of the previous three campaigns. Remove the 2012-13 season, when an Achilles injury limited him to 17 games, and his production continues. In 2011-12, Karlsson's 78 points were 25 more than the next highest-scoring blue-liner.
But there's another end of the rink, an area where Karlsson and most offensive defensemen are criticized for playing a too one-dimensional game. But Karlsson's supporting numbers spurn the notion that he's only focused on offense. In fact, he continues to be a leader at both ends of the ice.
| Season | Games | Blocks | Takeaways | G-A-Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | 33 | 91 | 25 | 7-24-31 |
| 2015-16 | 82 | 175 | 61 | 16-66-82 |
| 2014-15 | 82 | 89 | 59 | 21-45-66 |
| 2013-14 | 82 | 101 | 68 | 20-54-74 |
Karlsson has appeared in all 33 games for the Ottawa Senators this season, keeping with his perfect attendance record over the past three campaigns. And while his production continues to hover around a point-per-game pace, his presence in his own zone has only grown. This season, he's on pace for a career-best 226 blocked shots.
Didn't used to see that kind of heavy stick by Karlsson in front on Toews there. His game continues to grow. #senators
— ((Chris Stevenson)) (@CJ_Stevenson) December 21, 2016
So far, only Calvin de Haan of the New York Islanders tops Karlsson in blocks with 95, and just two players have more takeaways: T.J. Brodie with 26 and Dustin Byfuglien with 31.
After winning the Norris Trophy in both in 2011-12 and 2014-15, Karlsson finished as the runner-up last season, losing out to Los Angeles Kings blue-liner Drew Doughty, with San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns finishing third. Here's how they all compare over the past two seasons:
| Player | Season | GP | Blocks | Rank | Takeaways | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karlsson | 2016-17 | 33 | 91 | 2 | 25 | 3 |
| Burns | 2016-17 | 33 | 59 | 31 | 20 | 10 |
| Doughty | 2016-17 | 32 | 56 | 41 | 4 | 146 |
| Karlsson | 2015-16 | 82 | 175 | 11 | 61 | 2 |
| Burns | 2015-16 | 82 | 145 | 30 | 53 | 4 |
| Doughty | 2015-16 | 82 | 105 | 87 | 10 | 144 |
In 2009, six defenders were drafted ahead of Karlsson, including Doughty, who went second overall. But with a performance like he's been giving so far this season, it may not be long before the young Swede adds a third Norris to his trophy case. Not a bad return for a defenseman who was selected 15th overall.