eric carlson He knew he was capable of rebounding.
The San Jose Sharks defenseman scored 35 points last season, 22 in 2020-21 and 40 in 2019-20, limited by injuries. He hasn’t scored more than 50 since 2017-18, when he scored 62 for the Ottawa Senators.
Karlsson leads defensemen in goals (19), assists (63) and points (82) in 65 games and tied his NHL career high in points with the Senators in 2015-16, which surprisingly wasn’t his only two seasons. He won the Norris Trophy, voted the best defenseman in the NHL (2011-12, 2014-15).
“I’ve been in this league a long time,” Karlsson said at the NHL All-Star media day in February. “I’ve been successful at everything, if not everything, and you’re going to go through times where things don’t go the way you want, and that’s the way things are. . . . I still feel good, and I know I’m going to feel good for a long time.”
The 32-year-old, in his 14th NHL season, was selected by an NHL.com panel as the fourth-and-a-half-point winner over Norris after failing to receive a single point in the NHL.com poll. preseason. He remains the three-quarter point favorite. Carlson received 64 ballot points, including 10 first-place votes. rasmus dallin The Buffalo Sabers finished second with 50 points and two first-place votes and joseph morrissey The Winnipeg Jets finished third with 42 points. New York Rangers Defenseman adam fox received other top votes.
VIDEO: [email protected]: Carlson pushes Sharks lead to 3-1 in 3rd
“I rarely surprise myself, but I’m glad everything is going well, obviously,” Carlson said. “…It’s been a tough couple of years. I think the organization and the team are going in a good direction, and I think that has helped me personally.”
“The things that I can control, I think I’ve done the best job I can, and at this point, I feel as good as before, so I hope that continues.”
Karlsson scored his 80th point in his 63rd game, the fewest by a defenseman since Al MacInnis (62 games) for the Calgary Flames in 1990-91.
“I know what points look like, that’s what he always does, but look what happened on that 5-for-6,” Sharks coach David Quinn said after Carlson scored the game-winner. A 5-3 victory against the Dallas Stars on January 18. “He was determined to make sure we didn’t concede a goal. I can’t say enough about the way he defended and how hard he competed. The things about him are not just what you see from a statistical point of view, but I loved coaching him. He’s smart, he wants to win, and he’s a special player.
sharks goalie james reimer He has been a teammate of Carlson’s for the past two seasons, but faced him when he was with the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2010 to 2016 and when Carlson was playing for the Senators.
“Honestly, when you play the guy, I think you know how good he is, but when you play him, I think you notice it more,” Rymer said. “…I felt like he was following them, but now it’s interesting to see him every day…I hope he does his thing.”
Karlsson will be the subject of rumors ahead of the 2023 NHL trade deadline on March 3 at 3 p.m. ET. Fortunately for the Sharks, he was with them.
“I don’t want to imagine this team without him,” Quinn said.
Total votes (points awarded based on 5-4-3-2-1): Erik Karlsson, Sharks, 64 points (10 first-place votes); Rasmus Dahlin, Sabres, 50 (2); Josh Morrissey, Jets, 42; Adam Fox, Rangers, 25 (2); makar kaleColorado Avalanche, 13; dougie hamiltonNew Jersey Devils, 9; quinn hughesVancouver Canucks, 5; roman josephNashville Predators, 5 (1); charlie mcavoyBoston Bruins, 4; Hampus LindholmBoston Bruins, 4; Victor HedmanTampa Bay Lightning, 3; Drew DoughtyLos Angeles Kings, 1
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