Considering Karlsson for the Norris

Ottawa is a surprise team this year with their success rate, and Erik Karlsson is a surprise player because of the numbers he has put up in his 3rd season in the NHL and how big of an impact he has had in the success of the Senators. Currently, the Senators are 2nd in the Northeast Division and 7th in the Eastern Conference with 88 points through 77 games (39-28-10) and have a +9 goal differential on the season. It's a huge improvement over last season, where they missed the playoffs by a long shot. Karlsson, too, has improved immensely over last season. But Norris isn't for most improved player, or highest scoring defenseman.

"Review of Literature Found in my Basement" Volume 1: "Hockey Now!", Part 2 & 3: Rearguards & Blueline Attack

Part 1 here. 


Rearguards: Today's crop of "stay at home" defensive specialists are big, mobile, and mean.

Blueline Attack!: Leading the rush and pushing the powerplay to new - and dangerous - expertise, today's offensive defensemen take the style of Bobby Orr and add speed.

Try to guess them first!