The Better D-Man

[WeberCollector6]

I have been disputing with a friend of mine with two certain players on who you would rather have on your team CURRENTLY. Me, saying Shea Weber and my friend saying Erik Karlsson, so who would you rather have to lead your blueline for a Cup run? And this is current, not future.

[DnJcards]

They are both amazing defenseman but I would personally take Weber, Karlsson is an amazing offensive defenseman but he isn't the greatest on defense for the most part, while Weber will get points as well as be good defensively and he's more of a leader. Regardless though they are both amazing defenseman with incredible talent so you can't really go wrong with either.

[canucksfan007]

Weber is well rounded. Karlsson can score .... and seems to have a lot of defensive issues.

Weber is a beast, enough to intimidate others ...... ummmmm Karlsson can score.

Weber is a leader, captain of his team ..... did I mention Karlsson can score?

O ya ..... Weber can also score

[cygnusx1]

Karlsson makes a lot of great defensive plays, but I find it's become popular opinion from people who don't see him every game to just say he's a defensive liability. He does have some bad giveaways, but those tend to come when he is the only player on the team giving an effort, and therefore starts trying to do it all by himself. Ottawa has not been good defensively all season, and Karlsson has routinely had to break up 2 on 1 plays because of a bad pass by a teammate, or chase down somebody on a breakaway to poke the puck away at the last second. He may not have the size and intimidation factor (though he has been hitting more this year) but his positional play is fantastic and he routinely stops scoring chances before they can even develop.

To answer your question, at this point right now I would take Weber, but I don't think it'll be that long before Karlsson's an easy choice.

[RGM81]

I have a bias here, having watched Shea play since he was a teenager. I have maintained for many, many years now that if Shea Weber played for a Canadian team, all the hype and pomp & circumstance that people used to trumpet for Dion Phaneuf would have been entirely directed at Weber. He is such a superior player in almost every facet of the game. He's got a slapper that can literally burn a hole through the net. Leader on his team. Guaranteed Olympian for as long as the NHL sends players to the Games. Will win at least 2-3 Norris Trophies in the coming years.

[ravens_creed]

I would say Weber over Karlsson any day, unless my team had a dire need for an offensive defenseman. If my D couldn't move the puck up, I might see Karlsson having a greater impact on my team, but Weber can do just about everything and could be counted on to do more in almost every case.

[mooneyes]

Best defender = who has most points....NO, but that is how it goes
#1 Karlsson 58pts...but -15
#4 Weber 38 pts...but -8

I would pick at least 10 guys over these 2 more well known D-men, but that's not the Question...I really don't know, seems relative, if I'm an Oliers fan....WEBER!!!....If I need offense....,meh, I would acquire a sniper/forward....

Weber it is than

[Blmdear]

Karlsson makes a lot of great defensive plays, but I find it's become popular opinion from people who don't see him every game to just say he's a defensive liability. He does have some bad giveaways, but those tend to come when he is the only player on the team giving an effort, and therefore starts trying to do it all by himself. Ottawa has not been good defensively all season, and Karlsson has routinely had to break up 2 on 1 plays because of a bad pass by a teammate, or chase down somebody on a breakaway to poke the puck away at the last second. He may not have the size and intimidation factor (though he has been hitting more this year) but his positional play is fantastic and he routinely stops scoring chances before they can even develop.

To answer your question, at this point right now I would take Weber, but I don't think it'll be that long before Karlsson's an easy choice.

Karlsson has always been average on his defense game. Throughout his career, he has never been considered anything other than average when it comes to defense. His biggest aspect is his offense for sure. You can watch 25 games or you can watch every game. It hasn't changed. Its not that he thinks he has to do it all himself......that is his game.

[WeberCollector6]

So then who WOULD you pick in front of them?

[cygnusx1]

Karlsson has always been average on his defense game. Throughout his career, he has never been considered anything other than average when it comes to defense. His biggest aspect is his offense for sure. You can watch 25 games or you can watch every game. It hasn't changed. Its not that he thinks he has to do it all himself......that is his game.

Never said his biggest aspect was his defense... but watch his defense and you will see it is not what many people say it is was my point... Perhaps reading the full post would have helped.