A historic season.
Erik Karlsson was praised last night.
The Swede was awarded the Norris Trophy for the third time in his career.
– I have more to give, he says.
Since the move to the San Jose Sharks a few years ago, Erik Karlsson has been calculated and at times mocked. He has been one of the highest paid players in the entire NHL, but hasn’t really gotten the game right. But winter was something completely different.
Was awarded last night
Erik Karlsson became the first defenseman in 30(!) years to reach 100 points in the NHL, and this despite the fact that he played in a San Jose Sharks that were early on completely excluded from the playoffs. Karlsson was the super favorite to be awarded the Norris Trophy, the prize for the league’s best defender, last night – and it really happened that way, and it wasn’t even close to any other outcome.
Erik Karlsson received a total of 123 out of a total of 196 possible first-place votes, and was awarded the award ahead of the New York Rangers’ Adam Fox, and Colorado’s Cale Makar.
– I feel really good right now and I’m full of anticipation about where I am right now, says Karlsson after the win.
– No matter how much I try to be here and now, thinking back on what has been makes me happy. What I may have missed in the past is appreciating playing hockey. I really love it. I love what I do, and I showed that this season.
READ MORE: Erik Karlsson causes the entire hockey world to erupt in a frenzy – with the nicest words about his future
The words about the future
In total, there were 101 points in 82 games played for Karlsson, which led to an eleventh place in the NHL’s scoring. In five-on-five games, Karlsson was fourth in the league.
– What he did this season, that he manages to be top five in five-on-five… he did so many things that are at a huge elite level. I’m not surprised he wins, says Sharks coach David Quinn.
Erik Karlsson will not play in the Sharks’ upcoming season. Rumors state that he wants to join a team that can challenge for the Stanley Cup, and as the Sharks have begun a rebuilding phase, they are open to trying Karlsson.
– I had a fantastic year and I felt really good all the way, but I feel that there is more to give. That’s what makes me so hopeful, he says.
READ MORE: Erik Karlsson’s first words about NHL move – now reveals the truth about the future: “We all know about it”
The post Erik Karlsson is the world’s best defender – won the most powerful award last night: “I have even more to give” appeared first on Sportbibeln.