Well Johhny Dylan Norris Candidate Qualude Carlson has greatly improved his game this year and I think consistently over the last 4 consecutive years. He is so much a better all around player, and better defenseman than he used to be. This year's offensive output is great, but I think a bit of an anomaly. He is a huge asset to this team and he is a great player. Hew will never, in my eyes, be a GREAT defenseman. He simply is not outwardly physical and dominating enough to be a GREAT defensemen. That does not mean he is not invaluable to this teams success, and he HAS improved on both the defensive and offensive sides.
THe delay of game penalty....meh, should not have happened but I don't think it was panick, it happens. Under duress? Sure, but so what...at least he didn't "Orlov it" to the slot for a quality shot on goal.
The Stevens hit....
Now THAT is a great defensemen (and I don't mean because of this hit or hits like it). I don't want to see anyone hurt, and he got the head which he would get some DPS games for these days, but this is the risk you took when you skated with your head down in the Scotty Zone. I know Kariya did not deserve it, but he did ask for it....especially in that day and age. Scotty was probably won of the best open ice hitters in the game. I think this is an example of the problem with some of the players today. They come up in an era where you don't have to protect yourself, and you don't have your head on a swivel and all is focused on dangle, dangle, dangle, shoot, score, and NO consideration is given to "protect myself" from guys like Stevens.
I am not promoting or applauding guys getting taken out by guys/hits like this, but I guaranty hits like these when applied within the rules made a huge difference in the effectiveness of Stevens and his ability to prevent guys from scoring on his team. Paul Kariya does not remember the hit or the next three days. I bet he remembered not to skate into Scotty's zone the next time he played him. I'll bet the coaches reminded him not to go there. Hell, even the announcers are saying..."this is why Babcock did not want him crossing over to that side". Damn straight, cause there's a killer there waiting to do his job on you.
Anyway, so much for the memories of days gone by.
And one more thing, regarding Carlson and Stephens being discussed in the same post/sentence/paragraph/discussion/thread/subject/game/planet....
HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH