Login

crutch · 12-07-2016, 06:54 PM

<div align="center">Shattering the Ceiling
<a href='index.php?showuser=1959' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-3'>dankoa</a>
Los Angeles Centerman Sven Karlsson looks to cement himself as an elite player in the SHL.

[Image: donskoiDL_41316.jpg]

Los Angeles Panthers centerman Sven Karlsson stands on the bench for the national anthem.

Los Angeles, CA - It has been quite the roller coaster ride for Sven Karlsson thus far into his SHL career. He has to this point only playing in 5 career playoff games (all with the SMJHL Detroit Falcons, as he was called up as a true rookie to the new Portland Admirals).

Karlsson has been integral to the Panthers since he has been brought in (first playing in Season 28), where he scored 32 points (7G / 25A) and had a good +6 rating. The next season, he scored a career high 43 points (16G / 27A) but was a -4 that season. Since Season 29, his point totals have been dwindling, as he scored 35 points in Season 30 and 32 points in Season 31. That's not to say he was contributing less. Karlsson plays against the toughest competition from each team night in and night out and is very good defensively.

Karlsson lost a game in Season 31 to suspension and came back to have an average season. Maybe things just weren't working with his linemates? Maybe he wasn't playing with an injury? Who knows. All we know is that it wasn't up to the experienced centerman's set of standards. We asked GM Wastlund for his comments about the center.

GM Wastlund:"Sven has been one of the backbones of this franchise for a good part of the past few seasons. He's been a leader and even without the title he's been a good teammate to have around. He's a grinder and will play some tough minutes and still play to his best. I can't ask for more from Sven and I really think he's on the cusp of what he can do in the SHL and I think he's in for a big season in LA."

This offseason, Karlsson was taken off the first line and placed onto the second line with new linemates Sebastian Strange and Felix Herzog. It wasn't due to lack of intensity, and you couldn't call it a demotion for Karlsson, it was just to try to get both himself and Kaapo Kekkonen moving. Maybe a change of scenery for both players could increase both of their production.

Center, Kaapo Kekkonen:"Yeah, Sven is a real good playmaker, definitely a better passer than me. Makes up for him being so much weaker and shying away from physical contact."

Kekkonen and Karlsson both play very different, but very dangerous games. Kekkonen is more physical, and the thought behind the switch is that he would be able to make more room for scorers on his line, Ryan King and newly acquired Jaxson Reynolds. Karlsson is much more of a finesse player, and would do well with two young players that play a like minded game to him, Sebastian Strange and Felix Herzog. Los Angeles has two deadly offensive lines, both driven by their centers. Preseason has started, and instantly, Sven's line clicked. Combining for 26 points in 7 games, the Los Angeles second line looks dangerous. And the cog moving that machine forward is Karlsson.

Thus far in preseason, Karlsson has put up 12 points in those 7 games (2G / 10A) and is currently the top scoring center in the league. Karlsson also ranks first in points per 20 minutes, which is a very good sign for both himself and the Panthers. Furthermore, Karlsson is 3rd in league scoring, decimating high level competition such as VLAD McZehrl, Parikov Bure and Nathan Russell, who all usually find their names very close to the top of the scoring list come the end of the season. Defensively, Sven is doing excellent as he currently shares a (league leading) +8 plus/minus rating with his linemates Felix Herzog and Sebastian Strange.

It appears that Karlsson has found a new gear for the Swedish forward who looks to make the jump from a "good" SHL Centerman to one of the elite. We will be watching with much anticipation to see the good things that Karlsson does on and off the ice to help Los Angeles break their streak of missing the playoffs.

Defenseman, Chris Crutchfield: "It's great being able to play with a player the caliber of Sven Karlsson. He knows how to pass the puck with great efficiency, and this preseason he has come on like a bullet. I think he is going to have an absolutely monster year. He has looked absolutely great this preseason, and more focused on success than I have ever seen him."

Focused would be the right word to define Sven Karlsson. When he's on his game, there is nobody as intense as him. Threading passes that other centers in the SHL wouldn't dream of doing. It's one of the perks of being a player with a high hockey IQ. It looks like whatever he is doing is working. Every time he touches the puck, an offensive opportunity happens.

If Los Angeles is to make the playoffs this year, Sven Karlsson is going to be a large part of it. And nobody wants to see that more than Sven Karlsson himself, as he hopes to finally etch in some playoff numbers in his career. And we couldn't be more excited for that to happen.

KARLSSON /<span style='color:#ff5a00'> 28</div></span>

dankoa · 12-07-2016, 06:58 PM

dankoa · 12-07-2016, 06:59 PM

love you boo ðŸ’–

crutch · 12-07-2016, 07:03 PM

Quote:Originally posted by dankoa@Dec 7 2016, 03:59 PM
love you boo ðŸ’–

[Image: tumblr_n8mfjxiPHX1rpn9eno1_500.gif]

***WannabeFinn*** · 12-07-2016, 07:40 PM

Quote:Originally posted by CRUTCHFIELD@Dec 7 2016, 07:03 PM

p a n t h e r b o y s

dankoa · 12-07-2016, 07:42 PM

Quote:Originally posted by WannabeFinn@Dec 7 2016, 07:40 PM

p a n t h e r b o y s

crutch · 12-07-2016, 07:45 PM

Quote:Originally posted by WannabeFinn+Dec 7 2016, 04:40 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1' id='QUOTE-WRAP'><tr><td>QUOTE (WannabeFinn @ Dec 7 2016, 04:40 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>
p a n t h e r b o y s[/b]

[i]p a n t h e r b o y s S 3 2

<!--QuoteBegin-dankoa[/i]@Dec 7 2016, 04:42 PM

<object width="460" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rTfa-9aCTYg"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rTfa-9aCTYg" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="460" height="315"></embed></object>[/quote]

incredible

Navigation

Extra Menu

About us