2010-11 Norris Trophy favourites
The Norris Trophy is awarded to the defenceman who demonstrates the best all-around ability in the positions at the end of the season. The Trophy takes into account the defenders point total along with their capabilities in their own end. Recent winners include Zdeno Chara, Nicklas Lidstrom, and Chris Pronger.
Last year’s winner – Duncan Keith
Mike Green – Washington Capitals
Mike Green has established himself as one of the National Hockey League’s best offensive defenceman. However, he still struggles to control play in his own end.
Capable of impressive point totals, Green has thrust his name into the Norris Trophy discussion over the past two seasons. Last year he managed an astounding 19 goals and 57 assists for 76 points. The tally helped to display his incredible abilities at the offensive end, and put him nearly 10 points ahead of the next closest defender.
It is clear that Green will be able to register a number of points next season, however he must get better in the defensive zone if he hopes to take home the trophy.
Drew Doughty – Los Angeles Kings
At 20 years old Drew Doughty has already been nominated for a Norris Trophy after his strong performance last season. During last year’s campaign, Doughty managed 16 goals and 43 assists for 59 points, finishing third among all defenseman in scoring. Moreover, Doughty went an impressive plus-20, displaying his abilities in his own end.
The whole package, Doughty will certainly be a front runner for the Norris Trophy for some time, and as his Kings continue to improve, so will the likelihood of his being named the League’s top defender.
Expect Doughty to have an even better season in 2010-11, as he he yet to reach his full potential.
Chris Pronger – Philadelphia Flyers
Pronger took home the Norris Trophy 10 years ago, after the 1999-2000 season. Then playing for the St. Louis Blues, Pronger defined himself early as a tough, hard-hitting defender. Fast forward 10 NHL seasons and not much has changed, except for the fact that Pronger now finds himself on a legitimate Stanley Cup contender in Philadelphia.
The Ontario native has been a force on the blue line since he entered the league in 1992 with the Hartford Whalers, however last season with the Flyers proved to be a resurgence of sorts for the big man. Managing 10 goals and 45 assists for 55 points, along with a plus-22, Pronger showed why he has been considered one of the League’s best defencemen for the past decade.
Next year Pronger should add to last year’s total, as the Flyers improved their club dramatically this off-season, and came together as a unit on their way to the Stanley Cup Finals in last year’s play-offs.
The only thing that may be standing in Pronger’s way is goal tending. The Flyers have decided to go with the unproven tandem of Michael Leighton, and Brian Boucher, which could make it tough for the back end to keep pucks out of their net.
Duncan Keith – Chicago Blackhawks
At 27 years old, last year’s Norris Trophy winner Duncan Keith still has some of his best years ahead of him.
The Winnipeg native had an outstanding 2009-10 campaign, amassing 14 goals and 55 assists for 69 points, while finishing plus-21.
Keith will once again be paired with Brent Seabrook in 2010-11, a tandem that has served the Blackhawks well over the past two seasons.
Keith is nearing his prime as a defender, and can be expected to improve individually next year. However, the Blackhawks are not the same team that won the Stanley Cup last season, and Keith will not have such an impressive offensive club with which to work. Still very capable of winning the Norris Trophy, it may require a little bit more work to take home the award come puck drop in October.
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