Fansided

2016 NHL Awards watch: Karlsson, Holtby, Kane favorites

By Dave Stevenson

Oct 8, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) during the game against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) during the game against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 10, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) during the second period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) during the second period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Norris Trophy

There have been some impressive performances from defensemen this season. Erik Karlsson has a stranglehold on this award, which tells you how unbelievably good he has been this season.

  1. Erik Karlsson – Ottawa Senators: Many people don’t realize just how good Karlsson is. He is fourth in the league in points with 41. The last defenseman to finish in the top five in the league in points? Paul Coffey during the 1985-1986 season. Karlsson gets so much attention for what he brings to the table on offense that his all-around play is often ignored. The Senators see a huge change in their shot attempt differential when Karlsson is on the ice. The Senators have a +25 shot attempt differential at even strength when Karlsson’s on the ice. He has played 783 minutes this season at even strength. The Senators have a –261 shot attempt differential without Karlsson on the ice. They’ve played 1,024 minutes without him at even strength. That’s insane.
  2. Drew Doughty – Los Angeles Kings: You have to feel bad for Doughty. He’s been so good the past few seasons. The issue? P.K. Subban, Duncan Keith, and Erik Karlsson have had been even better than him in each season. Doughty doesn’t get a prize for being the second-best defensemen in the NHL. He’s averaging almost 30 minutes of ice time per game for the Los Angeles Kings and spends a ton of time on ice in just about every situation possible for them. He has 23 points in 37 games this season. His saving grace might be his plus-minus. Still, considering the Kings are a better overall team by a pretty significant margin than the Senators, it’s difficult to say he deserves it over Karlsson.
  3. Shea Weber – Nashville Predators: Is Shea Weber the best defenseman in the Norris Trophy era who has never won a Norris Trophy? He probably is. He’s aging, but he’s still a dominant force for the Nashville Predators. His possession stats aren’t going to help his case since Karlsson’s and Doughty’s are better by a good margin. It’s going to take a special performance for him to finish ahead of Doughty. It’ll take a miracle for him to win the Norris Trophy.

Honorable mentions: John Klingberg (Dallas Stars), Ryan Suter (Minnesota Wild), Brent Burns (San Jose Sharks)

Next: Vezina Trophy

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