Norris Trophy: Most Outstanding Defenseman
Winner: Duncan Keith – Chicago Blackhawks
Points alone should never be enough to earn someone the Norris Trophy. However, when a blue-liner dishes out 35 helpers in 41 games while playing elite defense, it’s hard not to move him to the top of the list. 2010 Norris winner Duncan Keith trails only Joe Thornton in the helper department, and unlike Erik Karlsson he has a very respectable plus-15 rating. The 30-year-old Keith is doing it all right now for the Blackhawks, and he should see top-pairing minutes for Team Canada at the Olympics.
Runner Up: Drew Doughty – Los Angeles Kings
The LA Kings are the only team in the league allowing fewer than two goals per game, and Drew Doughty is a huge reason why. With Jonathan Quick injured, Doughty’s steady play on the back-end helped rookie goaltender Martin Jones win his first eight states. The 24-year-old blue-liner’s strong two-way play should keep him in the discussion all season long.
