NHL Awards Watch: Top 5 Norris Trophy candidates
Who are the top five Norris Trophy candidates after the first half of the 2016-17 NHL season?
Each season, the Norris Trophy goes to the defenseman “who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position”. This often causes a bit of a debate, as the roles for certain defensemen have evolved rather quickly. Puck movers are starting to be valued more highly than more traditional shutdown defensemen.
Drew Doughty is the reigning Norris winner, but it doesn’t look like he’s going to repeat. However, he still ranks in the top five candidates. Who’s better than him? Which defenseman is the favorite to win? Unless otherwise noted, all stats are at even strength (five on five). Ryan Suter gets an honorable mention, but with Devan Dubnyk primed to win the Vezina Trophy and Bruce Boudreau as a serious Jack Adams candidate, don’t expect him to be in the top five on too many ballots.
Here are the top five candidates for the Norris Trophy, along with the best cases for them and against them.
Victor Hedman
Defenseman, Tampa Bay Lightning
The case for Hedman: The Lightning defenseman is having a bit of a breakout season. He’s always been a bit underrated, but this season, he’s putting everything together and people are finally realizing how great he is. With 38 points through 47 games, Hedman’s on pace to shatter his previous career high of 55 points.
He’s a net gain when he’s on the ice, ranking in the top 30 in goals for percentage. Hedman also tilts shot attempts in favor of the Lightning, ranking in the top 30 in CorsiFor percentage as well. He also plays during all situations, which is a good resume booster for the Norris.
The case against Hedman: This is unfair because it has very little to do with him. But the Lightning are struggling and Norris winners traditionally have come from playoff contenders. Hedman can’t be ruled out because Tampa Bay has shown in the past they can rally towards the end of the season. Whether it’s fair or not, his Norris chances hinge on the Lightning getting healthy and playing better. Also working against him is voters haven’t voted for him much in the past. The highest Hedman has ever finished is ninth.