The Norris trophy in the NHL is awarded to the defenceman who demonstrates the greatest all-round ability in the position throughout the season.
The current holder of the trophy is a living legend in the sport and goes by the name Nicklas Lidstrom. This guy logs up mountains of ice time every year and is still one of the most played players logging somewhere around 23 minutes a game. This is a huge chunk of ice time and when you consider that this guy was born...wait for it...in 1970 making him 41 years of age! (I did the math there for you hockey players, I realize it isn't your strong suit).
So who will be the Norris trophy winner this year?
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| Erik Karlsson |
Right now the guy leading the pack is another Swede 20 years younger than Mr Lidstrom but playing out of his socks this year. In my opinion this guy is destined to become a great. He is a fantastic skater and is gifted with that useful attribute of hockey sense. Naturally he can do all the other things pretty well but Erik Karlsson has a unique ability to read the game at the tender age of 21.
Try this on for size... In 2008, at 17 years of age, this guy was making his debut in the Swedish Elite League. Not only was this his debut but Karlsson decided to score in overtime to give his team a spot in the playoffs with 3 games to play in the regular season. Today Erik plays for the Ottawa Senators and the last few seasons have been good for him especially considering how tough a league the NHL is to break into. This season Karlsson is blowing all defenceman out of the water! His stats for the year thus far read: 60 Games - 12 Goals - 45 Assists - 57 Points - +14. This means he is 17 points ahead of Brian Campbell in second spot for the year. Now scoring in hockey isn't the most important thing especially when you are a defenceman but when you are a +14 for the year then you are doing a hell of a lot right on D as well as on offence.
Try this on for size... In 2008, at 17 years of age, this guy was making his debut in the Swedish Elite League. Not only was this his debut but Karlsson decided to score in overtime to give his team a spot in the playoffs with 3 games to play in the regular season. Today Erik plays for the Ottawa Senators and the last few seasons have been good for him especially considering how tough a league the NHL is to break into. This season Karlsson is blowing all defenceman out of the water! His stats for the year thus far read: 60 Games - 12 Goals - 45 Assists - 57 Points - +14. This means he is 17 points ahead of Brian Campbell in second spot for the year. Now scoring in hockey isn't the most important thing especially when you are a defenceman but when you are a +14 for the year then you are doing a hell of a lot right on D as well as on offence.
So keep your eyes on this guy over the coming months. He certainly is a special player in the game right now and it's nice to hear some of the D-men getting a shout for a change. Gusto holds thumbs that Erik Karlsson is in Las Vegas for the NHL awards at the end of the season!