Carlson Stifles Tavares

by J.P. on Oct 14, 2008 11:10 AM EDT

One of the biggest surprises of training camp was the steady and mature play of 2008 first round draft pick John Carlson.

Now, it seems, he's a man among boys back in the OHL. As Ryan Pyette notes

Defenceman John Carlson is playing 30 minutes a game anyway.

So when the London Knights needed to turn to someone to help shut down the OHL's leading scorer, John Tavares, who else were they going to send out there for the job?

The same guy they send out there for everything else.

Carlson, the big NHL first-round pick of the Washington Capitals, held the Oshawa Generals star and next summer's potential first overall pick in check and even opened the scoring as part of London's five-goal first period as the Knights topped the Generals 6-3 before 3,865 spectators yesterday at the General Motors Centre.

Pyette continues:

Carlson ... is big, extremely mobile, intelligent and doesn't fatigue easily.

With Karl Alzner, Sami Lepisto, Josh Godfrey, Carlson and others in the organization (to say nothing of the budding superstar and others who have already arrived), the future sure does look bright on the blueline, doesn't it?

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We may have to cut Green to make room for these guys. Just kidding.

by b.orr4 on Oct 14, 2008 11:30 AM EDT reply actions

the future looks bright across the board.

by Sombrero Guy on Oct 14, 2008 11:37 AM EDT reply actions

Careful, JP. You just said something positive about the Caps blueline. The nervous nellies out there in the Caps bloglaand will think you're insane.

by this space for rent on Oct 14, 2008 11:47 AM EDT reply actions

Also gives us very very valuable trading chips if we need to make a move should the need arise...I would NEVER hesitate to trade a prospect for a legitimate shot at a Cup

by Ryan on Oct 14, 2008 12:18 PM EDT reply actions

Poppycock. John Carlson is an untouchable. You do not trade into the first round for a guy and then flip him four months later.

--Tyler

by Anonymous on Oct 14, 2008 12:19 PM EDT reply actions

Three years from now...

Mike Green-Karl Alzner
John Carlson-Shaone Morrisonn
Josh Godfrey-Jeff Schultz

by The Peerless on Oct 14, 2008 12:30 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, the Caps look like they're going to have a strong young corps of blueliners in the next couple years. For the meantime, I hope they keep Feds back there alongside Jurcina and keep Erskine in the press box.

The future looks good in goal, too. Varlamov and Neuvirth look like a very strong 1-2 punch between the pipes, if Josie can just hold the fort for a year or two...

by AJD on Oct 14, 2008 12:33 PM EDT reply actions

@The Peerless- What about Joe Finley-Sami Lepisto?

by b.orr4 on Oct 14, 2008 1:09 PM EDT reply actions

I was at the game between Oshawa and London and Carlson's stat line and the article do not do justice to how Carlson played. He was dominate covering Tavares all day, playing the PP and the PK. I swear he played 35 minutes (or more). Another cap prospect in the game was Jason Taylor. He also was given the checking role against Tavares the entire evening. He was good, but looks like a Boyd Gordon type.

by Shawn Luddington on Oct 14, 2008 1:45 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks for the report, Shawn, and great to hear a firsthand account of the action.

Oh, and I think you meant Justin Taylor, an understandable slip if you're a Skins fan with JT on the brain. :)

by JP on Oct 14, 2008 1:54 PM EDT reply actions

Typing way too fast....(on the Jason/Justin thing).

What was most impressive about Carlson was the fact he was strong in all aspects of the game. Where a guy like Godfrey has the one huge strength (slapshot), Carlson does it all. He plays a ton of minutes, plays tough in the corners and in front of the net, was given the most important assignment, joins in on the rush alot and also has a good enough shot to play the power play point. I was also amazed he did not tire. At times he was on for a couple minutes when Tavares came on. He would then play the whole Tavares shift and sometimes stayed on a little longer. Not sure of his actual minutes but he was rarely off the ice...most I have ever seen a player play.

My son and I (btw, he wheres #8 for his Novice A team) plan on attending a Barrie game next to see another Cap prospect.

by Shawn Luddington on Oct 14, 2008 10:48 PM EDT reply actions