Cardiac Cane’s Picks For 2013-2014 NHL Awards
By Brett Finger
James Norris Memorial Trophy
The award given to the defenseman who demonstrates the greatest all-round ability at the position.
Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
Brett’s Pick: Duncan Keith (Chicago Blackhawks)
Duncan Keith showed this season that he can carry the workload for one of the league’s best teams on defense. Not only was he a great leader for the defending Stanley Cup Champions, he ranked second out of all NHL defensemen with 61 points and first in assists with 55. He was also a +22 while playing over 24:30 per night.
And historically, the Norris usually goes to the defenseman with the points and the +/-. Duncan Keith has both of those, and he was a huge part of a great team in Chicago.
Runner Ups: Ryan Suter (Minnesota Wild), Alex Pietrangelo (St. Louis Blues)
Wes’s Pick: Ryan Suter (Minnesota Wild)
It’s time that Ryan Suter is recognized for all he can do.He puts up over 40 points, can play over 25 minutes a night and plays both the power play and penalty kill. He was hidden behind Shea Weber in Nashville, but even in Minnesota people don’t realize how much of an impact the 6-foot-1 defenseman can have in a game.
Runner Ups: Duncan Keith (Chicago Blackhawks), Zdeno Chara (Boston Bruins)