Henrik Karlsson Info

[Metro Gnome]

As it seems more and more that Henrik Karlsson is going to be the Flames backup this season, I decided to interview the founder of thegoalieguild.com about what to expect out of the big swede. Some snippets:

Henrik Karlsson has tremendous size and a very solid, complete set of Swedish butterfly skills. He has great situational awareness and excellent patience, giving him a calm and composed demeanor. His combination of size and mobility allows him to employ an effective hybrid style. By that I mean he can make saves by blocking the puck with his strong positioning, but he has the reflexes and agility to make the reactionary, desperate save as well.

...

Karlsson comes over with all of the tools needed to succeed. If you get a chance to talk to Jamie McClennan about his first impressions and I bet one of the things he mentions is the structure to his game – a sign of very good coaching.

...

He has experience, his confidence won’t be destroyed if he gives up a few bad goals and overall he just has great fundamentals. This is right about the age and time a goalie truly understands the mental capacities needed to succeed in the NHL for more than a season.

Justin seems really high on Karlsson and thinks he's a good bet to be a capable player at the NHL level.

Whole thing here: http://flamesnation.ca/2010/8/24/the...enrik-karlsson

[mac_82]

He sounds like a slightly older, less hyped Jonas Gustavsson. Hopefully he does well for us this year and starts 15 games.

[Hades]

Interesting read. It seemed like his biggest flaw or concern was lack of game time on the N.A. ice, which almost makes me wonder if he should play in the minors for a bit, just to get used to the play even at a lower level and get lots of playing time. Though I'm not sure I'd be confidant with either Keetly or Irving as back up.

[Jordan!]

My big prediction of the season is that Karlsson pushes Kipper out of Calgary. Not because I hope Kipper is traded but just a gut feeling.

[zarrell]

Originally Posted by Bouw N Arrow

My big prediction of the season is that Karlsson pushes Kipper out of Calgary. Not because I hope Kipper is traded but just a gut feeling.

That will happen as soon as Ales Kotalik makes Jarome Iginla expendable.

[Canada 02]

Originally Posted by Bouw N Arrow

My big prediction of the season is that Karlsson pushes Kipper out of Calgary. Not because I hope Kipper is traded but just a gut feeling.

you should have that checked out

[Ren]

Way too early to be saying that Karlsson could push Kipper out of a starting job (we haven't even seen him play, for crying out loud), but I would love it if we stole another one from the Sharks. I don't have faith that Irving and Keetley are the goalies of the future.

[Jordan!]

My bleeding bowels don't lie.

[Loob/Backlund]

I have nothing to back this up but I have a good feeling about Karlsson. I think we could have a nice BIG backup goalie on our hands. But this season will tell the tale.

[kekkone]

Excellent read as usual Kent.

So being 26 years old and in his position, with about six years of experience in the SEL, is pretty much perfect.

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.

[Machiavelli]

This should be in the main forum.

[Metro Gnome]

Thanks for the correction Kekkone. You're right in there seems to be a hint of undue optimism in Goldman's report, although it's tempered somewhat with his answer to the final question.

[lobes]

i hope he has a good year..kipper needs to rest more

[underGRADFlame]

I golfed with Henrik at the flames tourney today. He's a big kid! Really excited to be in Calgary, and ready to get going. He's not a golfer so it was interesting to see his temper come out a little when he hit a bad shot.

[schteve_d]

Apparantly scouts were going over to Sweden to check out a few players in Backlund's age group and every one of them kept coming back raving about this goalie they'd seen there.

I have high hopes for him.

[Cactus Jack]

If Karlsson turns out to be good, how does everyone feel about the nickname "Large"?

[Caged Great]

wasn't that Turek's nickname

[JiriHrdina]

"Larger"?

[Cactus Jack]

Turek was the joke there, people. I didn't think I'd need green text.