Excellent read as usual Kent.
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So being 26 years old and in his position, with about six years of experience in the SEL, is pretty much perfect.
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Correction, Karlsson has one full SEL season under his belt. The past five seasons before his first SEL year were in Allsvenskan which is second highest league in Sweden. Saying he has perfect experience and is ready to jump into NHL sounds false to me. Judging by stats (which is stupid but I'll do it anyway) his first good season in SEL-2 was in 2008-09 when he dropped GAA from last season's 3.86 to 2.45. That's when Karlsson was 25 years old and that's when I think he got his development on track and his stocks have rocketed up since.
Jonas Gustavsson had similar route and with only two SEL seasons and it doesn't seem big difference to Karlsson but it may be. Gustavsson was god like in his last year with Färjestad and became NHL goalie in one year but Karlsson was "only" good. Looking Karlsson's scouting report from Goalie guild it seems this is a guy with few weaknesses and who may outplay Kipper like one poster suggested. I haven't seen Karlsson play or I may have but haven't paid attention but these reports from Justin Goldman sounds to be good to be true. Three years ago Karlsson had below average stats in barely top-10 league in the world and this season he is supposed to carry our favourite team in about 20 games.
I'm little sceptical but also believer. Like Goldman said Karlsson will likely need a lot of work to adjust in smaller rink but he has loads of potential which we fans may enjoy in future. My problem is whether he adjust quickly or whether he becomes one of underachievers who are thrown under bus in this city and who lose coaching staffs trust.