Once again it’s that time of year here on Defending Big D where we take a look at each player that suited up for 25 or more games this season (and are still with the team) – or in this case, was considered the ‘backup goalie’ – and take a look back at their season. What was good about it, what wasn’t so good, and the lasting impression they left us as we go into summer.
Key Stat: 1 – The amount of goals Eriksson scored during an eleven game stretch from late March to early April, when the Stars were grappling with teams they needed to beat to stay in the playoff hunt. It was a bad time for Loui to go cold.
The Good: Loui’s season started with a bang when he scored the game-winner in OT against the Devils in the season opener. In fact, Loui’s stat line through the first eleven games looked like this: 9-7-16. Eriksson found himself atop the NHL leaderboards early in the season, and there’s no question his hot start helped keep the Stars rolling through the first two months of the season. He also led the team in +/- with a plus-10. Loui could be in the Lady Byng discussion this year with 8 penalty minutes, and had another Selke-type season. Eriksson also gained some recognition around the league and was named to the All-Star team.
The Bad: That bad stretch we highlighted above is a bit glaring. When the team needed its stars the most, Loui couldn’t put the biscuit in the basket often enough. Maybe Loui isn’t the type of player who’ll carry a team on his back, but the normally consistent Eriksson didn’t answer when the fans collectively asked, “Who else is going to help Jamie Benn lift this team?”
The Bottom Line: Another quietly consistent year from Eriksson, who continues to grow more skilled at both ends of the ice. No, he couldn’t carry the team when they needed someone to, but just looking at the numbers (specifically the team-leading 6 game-winners) and his play on the ice, it’s hard to be disappointed with Eriksson’s year.
The Vote: Rate Eriksson on a scale of A to F (A being the best of course) based on his performance relative to his potential and your expectations for the season.
How did Loui Eriksson perform in 2010-11?
| A | 97 |
| B | 142 |
| C | 8 |
| D | 0 |
| F | 1 |