By: hockeychick

hockeychick — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 11:00:48 +0000

I think that Duncan Keith should win even though I’m a capitals fan. I like Mike Green, he’s great in the offense zone but not when he is playing defense. So I think that Pronger should have made it into the top 3 with keith and doughty. But keith would have still won.

By: Scott

Scott — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 19:12:48 +0000

I won’t get into the nuances of what the Norris Trophy means and who deserves to win it. But I will say this: if all 30 GMs and coaches were fired tomorrow, then rehired to start 30 new franchises, and if you asked them which defenseman they’d want to start a Game 7 … it would be Lidstrom. The guy’s game is nearly perfect. He doesn’t skate like Orr or shoot like McGinnis or hit like Stevens. But he is the archetypal defenseman all teams now want. He may have the highest hockey IQ in the history of the sport. He has the best stick, the best vision, the best anticipation, the sneakiest point shot, and a head-shaking ability to bat down chip-ins out of mid-air. He is a plus player in every facet of the game. He doesn’t hit because, ironically, he would be a lesser player for it. He neutralizes forwards instead of punishing them (and there’s a difference there … just ask Scott Stevens about Paul Kariya). I believe Rick Nash and Jarome Iginla are on record as saying they’d much rather get hit all night than deal with the frustration of having Lidstrom eliminate their game.
Don’t get me wrong. Lidstrom has gotten his due after a decade of flying under the radar. But I predict appreciation of his game will only increase once he’s gone. He’s the most complete defenseman the league has ever seen. Full stop.

Comments on: Debating the Norris Trophy finalists

By: hockeychick

By: Scott