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Drew Doughty, Victor Hedman, and P.K. Subban were just announced as the three finalists for this year's Norris Trophy. In this edition of the hotstove, we share our thoughts on which defenseman should win.
Todd Cordell
I think it should go to Victor Hedman.
He logged almost 26 minutes per night for the Eastern Conference-winning Tampa Bay Lightning and led the three finalists with 63 points. Hedman was the most efficient point producer at 5v5. He posted the highest relative goal numbers, too.
Doughty was the best of the bunch in terms of driving play but Hedman garnered better results and that's what matters most.
As an aside, I think Seth Jones deserved to be a finalist. His underlying numbers were much better than P.K. Subban's and put him in the same ballpark as Hedman and Doughty.
James Tanner
The Norris Trophy should go to Victor Hedman or Drew Doughty.
They were 2 of the 3 players to play against at least the 90th percentile of competition while putting up 50 points and a positive possession rating.
You can pick either of them, its a toss up.
The third player was Morgan Rielly and for some reason (I'm guessing because these are reputation based awards) he wasn't even nominated.
Rielly had 52 points, was the best PP producer in the NHL and he was stuck all year with Ron Hainsey. As good as Rielly was, he skyrocketed when on the ice with anyone else. He at least shiuld have been nominated.
Peter Tessier
I think it should be Hedman simply because I want to see some one new. Is that a bad reason? While Doughty and Subban may be completely worth winners I think Hedman was a total rock this year while suffering injury as well. While we could look at underlying numbers they would not support any of these nominees based on their peers who were left out so give it to Hedman, he simply may never get another shot and he's a nasty beast of a defense man.
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