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NHL Awards 2013: Who Wins The Norris Trophy

By Michael Straw

March 12, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (58) moves the puck up ice against the Boston Bruins third period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
March 12, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (58) moves the puck up ice against the Boston Bruins third period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s not often that you see a full ballot of first-time candidates — unless it’s for rookie of the year — up for an award in the NHL. But that is exactly what we have this season when it comes to the finalists for the NHL’s Norris Trophy which is awarded to the top defenseman.

Gone this year are the old favories like Zdeno Chara, Shea Weber, and, due to retirement, Nicklas Lidstrom. Instead, we have two of the top young stars on the blue line, and a veteran finally getting noticed after leaving the shadow of Weber.

This year the three finalists are P.K. Subban of the Montreal Canadiens, Kris Letang of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Ryan Suter of the Minnesota Wild. All three are deserving choices, and, unlike the Calder Trophy nominees which I had a small problem with, all were the best in the league this season. But just who will take home the Norris in 2013? Let’s look at each player, shall we?

May 2, 2013; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K.Subban (76) skates with the puck against Ottawa Senators during the second period in game one of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2013; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K.Subban (76) skates with the puck against Ottawa Senators during the second period in game one of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports /

P.K. Subban:

As the case with Calder nominee Brendan Gallgher, Subban was a key piece to a Montreal team that went from last place in the Eastern Conference last season to second place this year.  The 23-year old defenseman matched his career high in points with 38 in 42 games. Compare that to the 38 points in 77 games in his 2010-2011 rookie year, and Subban was set to shatter his career point total if the season would’ve been regular length.  Another big jump for Subban was his improvement in the defensive zone. In each of his three full seasons, Subban’s plus/minus number has increased. He was a minus-8 in his rookie season, but improved to a plus-12 two years later.  He led all defensemen in powerplay points this season with 26 with eight of them being goals.

Kris Letang:

Letang was tied with Subban in points with 38, but played seven fewer games than Subban because of injury. Letang is the best skating defensemen, as well as the fastest, among all of the finalists. He had 33 assists in 2013 which was tops among all defensemen. Thirteen of his 38 points came on the powerplay where he was the quarterback of the top powerplay unit in the NHL.

May 7, 2013; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman Ryan Suter (20) looks to pass against the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period in game four of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at Xcel Energy Center. The Blackhawks defeated the Wild 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
May 7, 2013; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman Ryan Suter (20) looks to pass against the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period in game four of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at Xcel Energy Center. The Blackhawks defeated the Wild 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

Ryan Suter:

Suter left Nashville for Minnesota in the offseason after agreeing to a 10-year contract with the Wild. His departure from the Music City allowed one of the most under-appreciated blue liners in the league get recognized for his truly elite talent.  Suter was the top defender for the Wild, something he couldn’t be for the Predators due to the presence of Shea Weber. When given the role of the top guy on the back end, Suter, while struggling early on in the season, played more minutes (27:16) per game than any other skater in the league; he played nearly 30 minutes a night during the final regular season stretch for the Wild. His 28 assists were second among defensemen behind Letang while his point total (32) was good for third.

And the winner is….Ryan Suter

Suter needed to prove to fans, and himself, that he wasn’t just a 1A blueliner after being with Weber for so many years. With his dependability in both the offensive and defensive zones, it’s safe to say that Suter proved the doubters wrong. The Norris is awarded to the best defenseman, and Suter was clearly the absolute best all-around blue liner in 2013.

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