For who i'd build my team around i'd go with Karlsson as he's way younger. But for who's better RIGHT NOW, i'm gonna go Burns. It's pretty close though i guess.

Karlsson, no questions asked. The guy literally took his team to Game 7, 2OT in the Eastern Conference Finals on one leg. Karlsson is the better player in every aspect, other than size and shot power. I'd take Karlsson 13/10 times over Burns

I'm going with Karlsson here, though it's pretty close. I'd say he edges out Burns in everything aside from goal-scoring and physicality.

Erik Karlsson no question. I would say though, if they happened to be the same age, I would heavily consider Brent Burns

Erik Karlsson for sure. Also, PastaSauce if you're interested in taking over the Pittsburgh team in the GM Game the position is available. If interested just confirm your interest in this thread: https://www.capfriendly.com/forums/thread/83005/10

Also I'd like to talk a trade with you, so if you have a Twitter we could discuss there or on your team page once it's up. Thanks.

dude im not even doing that anymore. I told booth back in July that I was done

karlsson... now delete the thread

Thanks for voting everyone!

it's not about age here, i said who's better right now?

Karlsson. Thread closed

there's a vote for Brent Burns plus i think Brent Burns (that vote wasn't me) and someone said it was close in a reply. And who just won the Norris?

you are replying to my comment because? run along back to the gm game

there's nothing wrong with this thread, it's a totally reasonable question. Two similar players, one who just won the Norris, but the other has won 2 (2012 and 2015), both are very good two-way d-men.

ok and? I said Karlsson was better, Im not here for a debate

it was doubt how there's nothing wrong with asking this question. If you don't like this thread, don't comment in it.

He wasn't the only won who brought them so far, he was on a good team. Yes, he was the biggest reason but not the only reason.

Why isn't Jeff Finger an option?

If Karlsson isn't there, they probably get swept by Boston, maybe losing in 5. They sure as heck don't beat NYR, nor do they come close to beating Pittsburgh. He obviously wasn't the only reason they got as far as they did, but he's far and away the biggest reason they got anywhere

you know why.

Without Karlsson they still might have beat BOS though not much more ... i think they would have lost to Boston in 6 or 7 without Karlsson. Yes, he was the biggest reason, though Pageau would likely be my 2nd choice for Conn Smythe if they had won it.

Karlsson is by far the better defensive-player, the better all-around player, and the better offensive-player. This is the player who won 2 Norrises in his first 8 seasons. (And should have won in 2016, also could have won this year) The person who would have won the Conn Smythe if players not in the Finals could have won. And the DEFENSEMAN who has had 6 seasons with over 40 points, his only exceptions being his rookie season and the lockout. Karlsson is not only the best defenseman now but one of the top 10 D-men of all time and a top 2 European D - man of all time.

Doughty was unbelievable last year, it was reasonable that he won it.

Calling Brent Burns a "very good two-way d-man" is very generous. He is not that good defensively. He is probably the most offensively talented defenseman, but his defensive weaknesses are covered up by Paul Martin.

Of course he's good offensively. He's a forward

Sorry but 'he is not that good defensively'? There's a reason he won the Norris. Sure, he's not THE BEST defensive defenseman but he can definitely play both ways.