Photo: Christine Olsson/TT, Björn Larsson Rosvall/TT
Former national team captain Johan Garpenlöv does not think that Erik Karlsson should be in Tre Kronor’s squad for the Four Nations.
Now the NHL star comes with a shaggy cocky answer to speech.
– It is his merit that we are at the bottom of the ranking and have the worst changing rooms, says Karlsson to Sportbladet.
When Rikard Grönborg left the Swedish national team, it was his assistant coach Johan Garpenlöv who was given the honorable responsibility of leading Tre Kronor. But the time as national team captain was not entirely successful. During the three years he had the task, the World Cup was first cancelled, then the World Cup was played without an audience and Sweden missed out on reaching the quarter-finals. In the third year, he was forced to field an Olympic squad without NHL professionals, and in the WC Tre Kronor lost a 3-0 lead to a 3-4 loss against Canada.
Garpenlöv’s sawing by Erik Karlsson
After Garpenlöv had to leave the national team, he tried to lick the wounds in his favorite association Djurgården, where he himself played for many years and won three SM golds. But he failed to bring the team up to the SHL again, and had to leave last November. Nowadays, he is a hockey expert on Radiosport’s broadcasts.
It was precisely in the role of expert that he saw the Pittsburgh Penguins pros Erik Karlsson34, the other week. He did not like the national team captain Sam Hallam had been right to select Karlsson in the Three Kronor squad that will face Canada, the USA and Finland in the Four Nations in February.
– The flaws in his defensive game are too big in a short tournament like this, every game will be so important. Then you can’t afford to make these bigger mistakes that Erik Karlsson is unfortunately making these days, said Garpenlöv.
READ MORE: Sam Hallam hits back at harsh criticism of Erik Karlsson
Erik Karlsson’s cocky response to speeches
Many have criticized him for his words and most probably agree that Erik Karlsson should certainly represent the national team. He is one of our biggest stars in the NHL. Now the player himself has finally chosen to comment on Johan Garpenlöv’s jump.
– It was a bit unnecessary, one might think. But that will be up to him, he tells Sportbladet.
– It’s lucky that he doesn’t have anything to say anymore. It is to his credit that we are at the bottom of the ranking and get the worst dressing rooms, haha, he continues.
READ MORE: Henrik Lundqvist rides out to Erik Karlsson’s defense
It hasn’t gone particularly well for either the Pittsburgh Penguins or Erik Karlsson so far this season. But last night the defender made three assists in the victory game against Vancouver.
– It is as it has always been. When things go well, everything is bliss and when things don’t go well, it’s disaster. It’s not something I think about too much. I feel good and know what I can do and what I am capable of, he says to the evening newspaper.
Good that you’re standing your ground, Erik. Of course you should be part of Tre Kronor. You were even captain of the team that took bronze at the WC last spring.
Share