We’re a quarter of the way through the NHL season which is a good start to determine who’s going to contend for the major awards. Here are some early Norris Trophy candidates.
As the NHL as quickly evolved to a faster, more skilled league, the demands from defensemen have changed. The massive body checks and booming slapshots have been replaced by quick transitions and quick wristers through traffic. This has also created a change in how people vote for the Norris Trophy.
The last four Norris winners were Victor Hedman, Brent Burns, Drew Doughty, and Erik Karlsson. All smooth skaters who were great at transitioning out of their defensive zone, as well as offensive machines.
This is a big difference from previous Norris winners like Zdeno Chara, who used their size and terrifying slapshot. The emphasis on size for defensemen is going away, as skill is far more important. Karlsson is six feet tall and Ryan Ellis is 5-foot-10, and they’re doing just fine.
Here are the early Norris candidates:
Drew Doughty
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Despite the Los Angeles Kings horrendous season so far, Doughty has been their one bright spot. He leads all defensemen in the league in ice time, playing 27:05 minutes a night. On the Kings’ first pairing, he faces against the toughest opponents.
"“I’ve been playing 27 to 30 minutes for the last however many years now, and I’m pretty used to it and I’ve never been tired going into playoffs, and I’ve never been tired at the end of games.”"
Doughty currently has 10 points, which makes him fourth on the Kings in scoring. His skating and speed allow him to jump into the play when necessary and helps him to quickly retreat into position if the puck gets turned the other way.
His soft hands make him a great puck handler, which is key when corralling pucks in his own zone, as well as when he is rushing it the other way. The Kings have always relied heavily on him and there is no defenseman in the league who matters more to his team than Doughty and the Kings.
Morgan Rielly
In his sixth season in the NHL, Morgan Rielly has exploded offensively In 21 games played, he has recorded 26 points and has been the backbone of a dominant Toronto Maple Leafs squad. He leads all Toronto skaters in ice time (22:15) and plays on the top pairing every night, facing the best of the opposing team. The fact that he can produce so much offensively while also containing the other team’s best is what makes him an early Norris candidate.
His speed and skill allow him to carry the puck right out of the defensive zone so that he can enter the offensive zone with possession. He is so strong on the puck and his feet are always moving which helps him cycle around to find the perfect seam.
Rielly also quarterbacks the Leafs’ lethal powerplay. He rarely makes a slap shot, instead, he likes to wait for traffic in front and sift a shot through for a tip-in or a goal. On a loaded powerplay like the Leafs, this strategy has worked really well and he currently has 10 points on the PP (1G 9A). His leadership on the team, along with his skill makes him a great Norris candidate.
Seth Jones
Seth Jones missed the first seven games of the season with an injury, but when he got back, he didn’t miss a beat. Last season, he finished fourth in the Norris voting and was expected to build off his success.
His offensive numbers are not off the charts, but he does have 9 points (2G 7A) in 13 games played. The most impressive part is his ice time. He plays over 26 minutes a night, the most by a mile on the Columbus Blue Jackets (the second place player plays 22 minutes). He plays on the first pairing and always plays against the best the other team has to offer.
When Columbus didn’t have him in the lineup, they were 4-3-0. Once Jones rejoined them, their wins shot up and 8-4-2 and are now first in the Metropolitan division. That’s no coincidence. His defensive partner, Zach Werenski compliments his game very well and they are one of the best defensive duos in the game.
Jones’ mobility and physicality gets the puck out of the zone fast. Whether it’s a quick transition or a booming hit at the blue line. His athleticism allows him to log heavy minutes and is a workhorse for the Blue Jackets.
We are roughly 20 games into the NHL season and these three defensemen have taken center stage. Will they continue their dominance or will other players emerge from the bushes? We’ll see in game 40.