The idea that Carlson is simply an offensive defenseman is not true. If he is so bad defending why does Rierden have him out there at the end of games when the Caps are protecting a 1 goal lead? The fact is that Carlson is solid defensively, he is rarely out of position and you never see him get beat by an onrushing forward. He is very good at tying up opposing players sticks and neutralizing them. While he may not throw a lot of hits he is one of the leaders in blocking shots. He is a good all around defenseman and the Caps are fortunate to have him.
With the utmost respect 4Caps, I will disagree.
Not 100%, but certainly with much of the assertion that Carlson is a “solid”, defenseman.
**I interpret “solid”, for a DEFENSEMAN, as meaning FAIRLY well-rounded, in ALL the aspects of hockey defensive skills, maneuvers, and tactics. OR; said another way, “ALL AROUND”, fairly good or decent. SLIGHTLY ABOVE, in some areas, and also SLIGHTLY BELOW, in other areas, but still decently adequate, in all phases of hockey defense!**
If you will grant me the above paragraph, as a definition of “SOLID”, as a DEFENSEMAN, (which is a pretty fair one, IMO), then my disagreement remains, and I can proceed with my supportive points.
If it is NOT a definition, that is at least, close to what you define as “SOLID”, then you might as well skip my reasoning that follows, as it may skirt the edges of validity, for you.
I will proceed, assuming we have the same rough idea of what solid defenseman means: (I’ll try to go point by point, from your post).
1) Rierden using Carlson in final minutes of a close game:
Ok, well I say, minimal logic there, 4 Caps. Rierden also uses Ovi in final minutes of a close game, and Ovi is about as defensively responsible as my granddaughter! I will grant you that Carlsons bring up passes have ever so slightly improved, BUT, in the very situations you describe, I observe Carlson as the “Icing King”! Which ALWAYS brings back DANGEROUS face offs in our zone, AGAIN and AGAIN!
I am NOT talking about icing the puck, as an intelligent, LAST RESORT, tactic, when the opponent is cycling well, creating some defensive confusion, and amid an onslaught of SOG’s coming at our goalie, in the last minute or so of the game. THAT WOULD BE SMART!!
I AM talking about the ridiculously, habitual, ICING, in the last minute or two, where we see Carlson, singularly, with an adequate amount of time and space, to do otherwise, makes that all too familiar, panicky ICING pass, PRECISELY because he DOESNT PERCEIVE, that he actually DOES have time for other options. He has either become CONFUSED, or SCARED that he’s about to get hit, OR BOTH!!
This phenomena happens often enough to be NOTEWORTHY, and is certainly not “SOLID”, or in any way defensively responsible!
2) Carlson rarely out of position/never beat by onrushing forward:
Are we talking Carlsons NHL CAREER, as a DEFENSEMAN, or just the microscopic view of 1/3 of his 2019 season!
Two words; CARLSONS ASS!! The biggest and best SCREEN to Holtbys view, in Caps history! In the language of Carlson...guarding the crease! LOL!
Kidding aside, follow Carlson fully, in the crease one time, and tell me, ANYONE PLEASE, how many times he is in such a good “position”, as to win MORE of the crease battles than he LOSES. He almost NEVER wins a crease battle!
This is NOT a “SOLID” defenseman characteristic!!
As far as onrushing forwards, 4Caps, I’ll grant that it’s happening less this year, that he gets beat. Much of this however, is due to Carlsons different offensive role, nowadays.
Once over the blue line, Carlson, now, receives training to routinely, shoot deeper into the zone, for more scoring opportunities, THUS, a forward, (Backy, Vrana, Oshie, etc), must drop back to cover, HENCE, Carlson is not in the situation to be onrushed, by a good outlet pass from the opponent, as often!
Now, If we look at JUST last season, I can easily count two or three instances, two of them, for either a game tying, or game winning goal, where Carlson was in perfect position, at, or just after the blue line, where the forward DID have the onrush, with Carlson RIGHT in front of him, and that forward simply shot, AND MADE, the goal, as if Carlson was NO IMPEDIMENT whatsoever.
Holtby was partially to blame, but in NO way, would any “SOLID” defenseman, have allowed such a shot to be taken, with that most minuscule amount of interference to the shot! This can be attributed to John Carlsons famous aversion to physical contact, PERIOD! Solid defenseman??? Hardly!
3)Tying up opponents sticks, and neutralizing them:
Carlsons ONE and only defensive weapon, the poke check! I’ll give PARTIAL credit, here. When the defensive posture situation CALLS for a poke check, then YES, Carlson does well! Even SOLID, I’ll give you that.
The problem is Carlson employs the poke check FAR TOO OFTEN, ( its all he knows), OR, even better, all that he is COMFORTABLE with doing! Most other defensive tactics require some level of PHYSICALITY! (That’s just not in the Carlson repertoire).
And let’s not get started on how often Carlson employees the poke check, when a better tactic should have been used, and our opponents get to set up nicely in our zone, resulting in a great chance SOG!!
Partial SOLID, for the poke check, only!
4) Not the best at throwing hits:
Huge understatement 4Caps. He’s 6’3”, 215. If he was even SLIGHTLY UNDER the average, of 1st line defenseman, of his general size, I’d give the guy a break. He was in the bottom 1/3 of hits for the entire team last year if I’m not mistaken.
Couple that, however, with his overall UN-willingness to be physical, generally speaking, and you’ve got nothing but a proven pussy! I say it all the time.
Throw in his media-touted, TOI statistics, and make it, hits / per minutes played, well.... honestly, my friend you don’t want to go there! It’s laughable! Occupying near the basement of the team , and nowhere in the realm of SOLID!!
5) Blocked shots:
This one... WE AGREE!👍 Totally SOLID!!
Fewer, so far, this year, but probably his BEST defensive strongpoint!
However, one small bird turd of a point on this one. Most of Carlson‘s blocked shots are due to his stick blockage, as opposed to body shots. In this case, good for him, because he can be effective at it without using his body!
Firmly in the SOLID category here!!
6) And finally, “Caps are fortunate to have him”!
Truer words have never been said 4Caps, AND, as I’ve also posted, I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with you!!👍👍😁😁
We simply differ on how we come to that conclusion.
He’s an offensive production MACHINE! (That’s why), IMO.
NOT A SOLID DEFENSEMAN!
Radco Gudas is a SOLID defenseman! And yes, the caps are fortunate to have him too.
I Agree to disagree, my friend! The REASONS why The Caps are fortunate to have John Carlson, are an extremely small matter in the greater scheme of all things Capitals!
We are both glad that we have John Carlson on our team! Even more awesome is just how damn good this capitals team is becoming!. I mean, WOW! It’s pretty scary, buddy! And I like it!
Rush
