Well folks, you know I had to chime in on this!
So we all hear over and over again, that the NHL has changed. Defenseman have a different role now, more offensive, faster, more tactical approach, WHATEVER!!! I'll even concede it's true!!
This ALSO MEANS that, if so, it is then RELATIVE, as a standard to judge them on, regardless of whether we like the changes or NOT! ....SO....
I'll give FULL personal credit to Carlson for his shot blocking abilities, as his numbers are decent there! I'll give him MINIMAL, PERSONAL credit, for his great POINTS total! WHY? Because he is given an Incredibly lopsided opportunity to attain those points. Ultra-high TOI, with our top goal scorers on the ice with him! ADD to that his opportunistic presence on the PP, and you've got the whole picture!! ANYONE, including my grandma, would have those numbers, with such a potential!!
His LOWEST ON THE TEAM, Shooting percentage, combined with his 2nd HIGHEST on the team in shot attempts, (only OVI has more shots), wins him the title of the #1 "DUD SHOOTER", on the team! So then, ask yourself WHY, he shoots so much! The answer is in COMPLETE SELFISHNESS, as a player!
When JOHN CARLSON takes ALOT of SOG's, he is improving his Corsi (+\-), when HE is on the ice! He knows his Corsi is negative, and ATTEMPTS to "shoot his way out of it"!! Not giving a DAMN about how his "Inaccuracy", affects how it potentially robs someone else, (any other MORE ACCURATE shooter), of their opportunity!! Think about how this "Tokemaster king", must see himself, in order to KEEP ON shooting duds, game after game, shift after shift, NOT EVEN EMBARRRASED, when he PERPETUALLY misfires!!! NORRIS TROPHY MY ASS!!! And this isn't even addressing defensive skills, yet!!
I'll concede that there may be a SLIVER of improvement, generally speaking, in some dreamy cloud of his overall play, but saying we wouldn't be where we are NOW, without him!!! Those thoughts must come out of the same "bong circle" that Carly joins, pre-game!! LOL
Rush