Should Gonchar be a candidate for the Norris Trophy?

Question

As we all know, the finalists for the James Norris Memorial Trophy are Niklas Lidstrom, Zdeno Chara and Dion Phaneuf. But some will argue that Sergei Gonchar should have been mentioned.

I think he should be nominated! What abut you?

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Answer 1

Yes, Gonchar should've been a top 3 candidate for the Norris, period.

Answer 2

There is no 'D' in G-O-N-C-H-AR

Answer 3

Lidstrom would have won it any way.

Answer 4

Gonchar was nominated, he finished 15th in the Norris Trophy voting

Answer 5

I think Gonchar should have been a candidate, despite the fact that LiNdström had it locked away. Gonchar played an amazing season (like always)

Oh, and I <3 Gonchar, I got my Wikipedia account indefinitely suspended for saying Don Cherry had a very exotic wardrobe. The Wikipedians have no sense of humour. Also, *whoever* edited Mike Johnson's page, it's still up there, haha.

Answer 6

His defense has improved a ton, people are living in the past if they think he is the 15th best defenseman in the leauge.    Pittsburgh would be in bad shape without him eating up minutes.

Answer 7

Of course i do! if there was a 4th nominee then i'm sure he would be that player.

but unfortunatly the 3 names mentioned above earned and are worthy of their spots over Gonchar.

Answer 8

He is a great defensman, a key part to the penguins, but with those that were nominated, i dont think so.  he has good offensive stats, but so do the rest, however, the other three are better defensively, but he is definitely an elite defensman in the leage

Answer 9

it doesnt matter who is nominated. Lidstrom wins hands down

Answer 10

Omg, somebody "Thumbs Downed" LITY?

Answer 11

I think he was a quality player but the 3 other candidates i feel has a better season than he did (not hta he had a bad season).

Answer 12

I agree!!

Do you think Peter Mueller should had been a finalist for the Calder trophy?

Answer 13

Like LITY said... he was nominated and was 15th. Gonchar is not as solid Defensively as PITT fans think he is. Yes, he is a good Defenseman, but is not in the class of a LIDSTROM!

Answer 14

Yes...but he's used to being snubbed..

But I still LOVE him!!

Answer 15

Everyone is saying about it doesn't matter Lidstrom won it anyways,

but that's not the point.

It blows my mind that he wasn't a candidate.

Gonchar was second among defensemen this season with 65 points (12 goals, 53 assists). It was his eighth consecutive season with at least 50 points, the longest such streak among active defensemen. He led NHL defensemen with 38 power-play assists and was second with 46 power-play points. Members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association voted for the Norris.

Gonchar led the team with an average of 25:54 of ice time, including running the power play from the right point, killing penalties and usually playing against opponents' top lines. If there has been a knock against him, it is the notion that he doesn't have the defensive efficiency to match his offensive skill, but his plus-minus rating of plus-14 was best among Penguins defensemen.

I feel so bad for him, the NHL sure knows how to snub him!

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/7663/24...