GreatGonzo
Surrounded by Snowflakes
Was EKs defense or defensive numbers so much better that he clearly deserved the award like many are suggesting? No. Even offensively, he was stellar. He was simply more consistent the entire year where as EK started picking it up towards the end. Burns being “better” doesn’t mean he was worlds away greater in his own end, just that he was better, even slightly.How exactly was he on par if not slightly better defensively? Burns suppression metrics were worse, Burns GA/60 relative was only a very slight amount better against significantly easier opposition and far more not only overall Ozone starts but relative as well. Far better support as well.
I’m not saying Burns is a better defenseman than EK, but that year he was. EK doesn’t deserve every Norris just because he can pile on a bunch of points while playing decent defensively for the most part.
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