#2 John Carlson
John Carlson is enjoying a historic season from the offensive side of things that would make Mike Green applaud him. Before the pause he was on his way to possibly eclipsing 100 points.
Carlson recorded a career-high 75 points with 15 goals and 60 assists, putting him on pace for 89 points at season’s end. His previous career-best was 70 which he posted last season. He leads all defensemen in points and is 10 ahead of Roman Josi of the Nashville Predators. His 60 assists are the fourth best among all skaters.
Carlson made history by passing Calle Johansson for the most points by a defensemen in franchise history when Carlson notched his 475th point back on Feb. 23 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He now has 478.
Carlson had a few more records to break that he probably won’t be able to because of the stoppage to the season. He was one assist away from tying Scott Steven’s single-season record for assists that he set in the 1988-89 season.
Carlson also was within striking distance from Larry Murphy’s franchise record 81 points which was the most in franchise history for points by a defensemen. Murphy set that in 1986-87.
There was 13 games left in the season so it was all but a lock for Carlson to break those records. Nonetheless his chase for the Norris Trophy has helped make 2020 memorable.