Norris

Aah, the Norris. One of the three easiest ways to engage me in a bar fight. Let it be known that I hold my pro-Lidstrom bias out in front, for all to see. The guy should have at least one, possibly two more Norrises than he does. The hockey world as a whole, in my opinion, was a few years too slow in recognizing his true greatness, and despite all the awards, accolades, and gushing commentary about him, I still will contend that he is somewhat underrated and will be in the historical long-run. It is highly unlikely I will ever enjoy watching someone play defense as much as I have Nick Lidstrom. Mention Scott Niedermayer in the same sentence, and unless the words ‘couldn’t carry his jockstrap’ are included, I’m likely to end the conversation and dismiss you. So, anyway, the narrative that took hold early this year when the Wings sputtered out of the gate defensively (thanks, Ozzie, for being yourself again) was that this was finally going to be the year when someone would swipe the trophy from #5. And despite the fact that there could be a perfectly legitimate case made for him to win it anyway, I agree that there is a better candidate this season. My fears are growing, however, that the writers will pick the wrong guy.

Barring an obscene lack of good candidates- which this season certainly does not have; “defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position” had better be the guy you would have on the ice in the last minute of a game if your team was up OR down a goal. He had better be your top PP and PK guy, or pretty close to it. That guideline may be simplistic, but I think it’s pretty damn accurate. I love pure defensive d-men, and there are a ton of really good ones. However with the way the game is today, a ton of your offense comes from the blueline- in terms of creating a rush, transition, and on setups in the offensive zone. Guys who contribute at a high level in that category have to get preference. So, sorry Willie Mitchell, and Greg Zanon, and Robyn Regher. The reverse is also true. If your contributions are heavily skewed towards the offensive side of things, I don’t care if you control the game like Paul Coffey, I am not going to name you the best defenceman in the league- especially as I said when we are in an age right now where there is no shortage of guys who do both.

Now, Mike Green’s offensive stats are just disgusting. He had one of the most ridiculous offensive seasons we’ve seen in decades. And the way he plays is 100% game-changing. He’s lethal. Also, to be fair, the Caps play a very open, run-and-gun style, so it may be slightly more difficult to see his true defensive prowess.

But you’re not throwing Mike Green out there 30 minutes a game in all situations. He isn’t on your top PK unit. And If you’re up a goal and going the purely shutdown route, he probably isn’t the guy you’re putting up against Jarome Iginla or Evgeni Malkin. It is certainly possible to be elite defensively in other ways, but to me, Green falls short of that level, and its enough to make me quite sure that he isn’t deserving- yet- of the Norris.

The Norris goes to Zdeno Chara, a player who can control a game in every conceivable situation. We’ve long been told that guys play differently when for example, there is or isn’t s a goon on their bench watching after them. Whatever. It is certainly the case that players and entire teams play differently because of Chara. I truly believe that if you took Chara off of Boston, the entire identity of their team as a rugged, chippy, relentless group would go out the window. There is no way to properly assign credit to all of the factors involved- be it coaching, maturation, or whatever else, but look at the seismic shifts/evolutions of many Bruins over Chara’s seasons as their leader. Savard. Kessel. Wideman. Thomas. In my mind you just cant overstate the importance of a guy who plays in all situations, gives you 30 minutes a night, is an absolute rock defensively, is a tremendous leader/example to younger players, and shoots 100mph. Oh yeah, and he will FUCK YOU UP if he so chooses. The Norris top 5 are Chara, Lidstrom, Green, Streit, and Keith. In that order. Because I say so.