There is some debate about the validity of Erik Karlsson as this years Norris Trophy winner. Many believe it is not even worth the debate. He is so clearly the winner why debate. I am in that category.
Karlsson is in the tail end of an historic season. In the entire history of the NHL only 3 players have done what Karlsson is doing. He currently has a 27 point lead over the next best defenceman in point production (Brian Campbell in Florida). Only 3 other players have had a gap this large over their next closest peer. Bobby Orr, Denis Potvin and Paul Coffey. The massive gap more than outweighs the debate about his comparative defensive play when measure against some of the other considered candidates like Chara, Weber, Keith and Lidstrom.
Karlsson is also not a power play monger. He leads all defencemen in even strength points and is tied for the league lead in power play points.
He is (today) a +19 which puts him 13th among defencemen. That leaves him tied with Weber and ahead of Keith. He is just 8 behind Chara and Lidstrom, so relatively similar.
One of the historic problems with the voting procedures by the hockey writers is reputation. Too often this award is considered with a players entire career factoring into the equation. This is supposed to be a single season, individual achievement award. There is no question at 21 years of age, Karlsson has not had the same kind of career as Chara or Lidstrom but again, this is supposed to be an award for single season achievement.
And what of the "if you had to start a franchise today, which guy would you pick" debate. Well again it is not a "franchise" or "career" award. In today's game where few teams now score 300 goals a season, I would argue that many or most GM's now would put a higher premium on a defenceman who may score 100 points at some point in his career over a good offensive defenceman who is a great shut-down guy.
I know it is difficult to get some writers to consider a skinny, 21 year old Swedish kid over a future hall of famer or a giant, but Karlsson's performance this season has dwarfed both of their achievements and he should be the Norris Trophy winner in a walk.
See you at the rink.
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3 comments:
The only thing standing in his way is the following:
Two voters are discussing their choice: One voter says he's picking Karlsson because (long and short) his season is a historic accomplishment; put in context, it rivals Orr's 21 year old season, and arguably bests Coffey's (Gretzky and co. plus 10 goal games on a regular basis). The other voter says he's voting for Weber because a) he's due, b) he's an imposing force at both ends, and c) his team is doing better in the standings.
Voter A says "Weber plays with another top-5/10 defender and in front of an A+ goalie in an A+ system, insulated by 2-way forwards. Karlsson arguably doesn't have any of those."
Voter B says "Yeah but Karlsson is weaker defensively and hasn't earned it."
Voter A says "maybe, but he's getting better in his own end and he dominates as soon as the play starts going the other way."
Voter B says "yeah but Karlsson is weaker defensively and hasn't earned it"
Voter A says "ok...but no defenceman has finished top-10 in league scoring since (Coffey?) in (?), plus he actually has a + rating, while having great corsi etc. and more even strength points than the next highest defenceman even has points."
Voter B says "yeah but Karlsson is weaker defensively and....."
There's only one argument to use against the kid and those that argue it won't budge. I'm afraid there's enough of them to all but guarantee Karlsson's place as runner-up.
Of the past Norris winners, none have won it with only :30 seconds of PK time per game. The average has been 2:30, with as high as 5:00 per game just after the lockout.
It's an all-around award and one largely based on reputation, thus it's likely that he needs to sit and wait his turn this year. If he repeats next year, with PK time included, then he gets his Norris.
Greg.
Just because it has'nt happened does'nt make it relevent. Nick Lidstrom won the Norris last year as a minus player? Is that a true reflection of the best defenceman in the NHL? Or is the reality that this is a reputation award and not a seasonal acheivement award?
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