Honestly, I'd give Karllson the Norris right now.

Forget about Lidstrom's reputation, it was pretty ridiculous he won it last year.

Honestly, I'd give Karllson the Norris right now.

Forget about Lidstrom's reputation, it was pretty ridiculous he won it last year.
- RogerRoeper

You might find that because Lidstrom won where Weber perhaps should have won last year, Weber (a definite front-runner this year) will take home the hardware. If only because Karlsson will have years ahead of him to repeat this season

You might find that because Lidstrom won where Weber perhaps should have won last year, Weber (a definite front-runner this year) will take home the hardware. If only because Karlsson will have years ahead of him to repeat this season
- Morris

Agreed.

You might find that because Lidstrom won where Weber perhaps should have won last year, Weber (a definite front-runner this year) will take home the hardware. If only because Karlsson will have years ahead of him to repeat this season
- Morris

Weber was not as prolific a scorer as Karlsson has been this season. Scoring tends to sway voters more than other strengths.

Weber was not as prolific a scorer as Karlsson has been this season. Scoring tends to sway voters more than other strengths.
- bureforearthsprez

Chara won in 09 even though he had 23 less points than Green in 12 more games. Offense does seem pretty important when it comes to winning the Norris but they seem more than willing to give it to someone who has significantly less points if they're on a different level defensively. Weber is on a whole different level than Karlsson defensively.

You're right but we're looking at a 22 point gap right now. With 21 games remaining who knows how large that could get. I seem to recall Green losing out on the Norris being somewhat controversial as well.

I think the gap between 1st and 2nd can't be ignored. It's significantly higher than when Chara won.

It'll probably be around 26 points. Could be as high as 30. Still not enough to make up for how much better Weber is defensively imo.

Crazier things have happened.

Another key difference is that Green was on the powerhouse Capitals with players that were smashing the league in Ovechkin and Backstrom. Ottawa is not necessarily viewed in the same light.

Yep. Nothing is impossible. I didn't think Lidstrom deserved to win it last year and he did. I didn't even think he was top 3.

The offensive gap hasn't been this high in D-Men since Coffey in the 80's. That will mean a lot to voters.

I think the Norris is more than a one season thing in the sense that you have to first earn the overall reputation. I think after the vote last year everyone was talking in terms that Weber should have won. On the other hand, many were saying that he should be satisfied to be nominated and that he will win in the future.

The same kind of process may face Karllson. We started off this thread discussing if he merits consideration for a nomination. The initial thought gets pulled forward where some offer the opinion that he might win over Weber. Kid is doing okay in the minds of fans, we will see what happens over the next 8 weeks.

Tonight is a game that matters against Boston. Can he make a difference when it matters? That has to be part of the criteria when considering the Norris.

I think the Norris is more than a one season thing in the sense that you have to first earn the overall reputation. I think after the vote last year everyone was talking in terms that Weber should have won. On the other hand, many were saying that he should be satisfied to be nominated and that he will win in the future.

The same kind of process may face Karllson. We started off this thread discussing if he merits consideration for a nomination. The initial thought gets pulled forward where some offer the opinion that he might win over Weber. Kid is doing okay in the minds of fans, we will see what happens over the next 8 weeks.

Tonight is a game that matters against Boston. Can he make a difference when it matters? That has to be part of the criteria when considering the Norris.
- spatso

I think this is very true. Although, as I said, if Karlsson dominates the scoring race for D-Men better than anyone in 20-25 years and his team shocks everyone and makes the playoffs, that might be a case for him to get a lot of votes.

I thought the best D-Man last year was Visnovsky, yet he didn't even get nominated as a finalist, so we'll see.

with anderson injured.... there are alot of questionmarks now
- nightmare3020

What question marks are you referring to?


I think Ottawa's playoff spot is somewhat safe.

There would have to be two teams move into the top eight and both pass Ottawa to knock them out.

Also Ottawa should be able to control their destiny by simply playing .500 P% or higher in their last twenty games.

But Murray should acquire a depth goaltender, just in case either of Lehner or Auld also suffer an injury that would keep then out of the line up for an extended period of time.

I think this is very true. Although, as I said, if Karlsson dominates the scoring race for D-Men better than anyone in 20-25 years and his team shocks everyone and makes the playoffs, that might be a case for him to get a lot of votes.

I thought the best D-Man last year was Visnovsky, yet he didn't even get nominated as a finalist, so we'll see.
- RogerRoeper

As the Norris is voted on by the PHWA, it gives players with a longer track record, a higher visibility to those writers who don't follow the teams in the other conference.

Writers in one conference see the players in the conference they cover many more times than those in the other conference, and will more than likely give their votes to the players they know better.

So when Chara raised the Cup last spring, writers in the western conference took notice and he's much higher on their radar than a player like Karlsson, whom they've seen once or twice this season, if at all.

As the Norris is voted on by the PHWA, it gives players with a longer track record, a higher visibility to those writers who don't follow the teams in the other conference.

Writers in one conference see the players in the conference they cover many more times than those in the other conference, and will more than likely give their votes to the players they know better.

So when Chara raised the Cup last spring, writers in the western conference took notice and he's much higher on their radar than a player like Karlsson, whom they've seen once or twice this season, if at all.
- Doppleganger

And they also take notice when players can't play defense.

As the Norris is voted on by the PHWA, it gives players with a longer track record, a higher visibility to those writers who don't follow the teams in the other conference.

Writers in one conference see the players in the conference they cover many more times than those in the other conference, and will more than likely give their votes to the players they know better.

So when Chara raised the Cup last spring, writers in the western conference took notice and he's much higher on their radar than a player like Karlsson, whom they've seen once or twice this season, if at all.
- Doppleganger

Voting doesn't include playoffs

Voting doesn't include playoffs
- burn

He means for the next season I think.

63 points in 62 games now?

3 points again tonight yeah i would say he is pretty good

3 points again tonight yeah i would say he is pretty good
- top shelf 15

On the ice for 6 goals tonight....

On the ice for 6 goals tonight....
- prock

how did the 'light years ahead' leafs do tonight? did reimer show he was the second coming yet?

On the ice for 6 goals tonight....
- prock

I don't understand why you worry about things nobody else cares about. McClean plays the kid for over 26 minutes tonight. The GM and coach are pretty happy with the kid's progess as a defensive player. How many 21 year old kids are logging plus 25 minutes a game. Defense is taught, it can be learned, the kid has made great progress, everyone, especially his coaches and teammates are incredibly pleased.

Not sure if I can understand the underlying motivational drive behind your discontent. But, I can promise you that the kid will get even better. And, without an attitude change on your part, it will make you even more unhappy.

On the ice for 6 goals tonight....
- prock

one was an empty net and another was a shot that a peewee goalie could of saved. I blame him for the first goal though. no hustle to the loose puck in the corner.

Voting doesn't include playoffs
- burn

No kidding. I've stated as much in numerous posts previous to this one.

So I guess I guess every member of the PHWA have their memories completely deleted, and don't recall how Chara, Lidstrom or Weber have played prior to beginning of this season, and therefore cannot influence how they view these players, giving all d men an equal and level playing field. Past playoffs performances are never considered eh