Player Discussion: Victor Hedman

[The Macho King]

First of many Norris nominations for Hedmonster. And first for a member of the Lightning.

 

[VoluntaryDom]

I think we can definitively state Victor Hedman as the greatest defenseman in Lightning history

Agreed.

He deserves the Norris this year. I doubt he wins it though, but he could because 'he deserves one' like Doughty last year.

 

[Hoek]

Best actual defenseman nominated.

 

[Brie]

I'm so happy for Hedman, he earned this nomination.

 

[VoluntaryDom]

Best actual defenseman nominated.

You win the thread.

 

[TeslaCoilFan]

A very well deserved honor!! So happy for Heddy!!

 

[RDTBay4]

 

[Oxbow Lakes]

I think we can definitively state Victor Hedman as the greatest defenseman in Lightning history

Yup.

Well deserved honor for him, glad to see him get recognized. I think Karlsson will win it this year but... you never know with the voters

 

[herm1978]

Best actual defenseman nominated.

Please dont, just dont.

 

[AlphaCatalyst]

He probably deserves it for his actual D and putting up comparible O#s to the other 2 but the team missing the playoffs will unfortunately hurt his chances.

 

[These Are The Days]

Well even if Hedman doesn't win it's not like Burns and Karlsson were not fantastic in their own right. This is arguably one of the better crops of Norris candidates that we've had over the last couple of years. Whoever wins will rightfully have earned it and the only really valid arguments would be "Well this guy played so well how could HE not have won it" -and that's something you can say about all 3 players.

It was a simply outstanding year by Hedman and not winning the Norris isn't going to take away anything due to the caliber of play Burns and Karlsson were at this year.

 

[VoluntaryDom]

Well even if Hedman doesn't win it's not like Burns and Karlsson were not fantastic in their own right. This is arguably one of the better crops of Norris candidates that we've had over the last couple of years. Whoever wins will rightfully have earned it and the only really valid arguments would be "Well this guy played so well how could HE not have won it" -and that's something you can say about all 3 players.

It was a simply outstanding year by Hedman and not winning the Norris isn't going to take away anything due to the caliber of play Burns and Karlsson were at this year.

True.

Though I think Hedman should win it.

 

[These Are The Days]

True.

Though I think Hedman should win it.

Well he probably "deserves it" more than anyone else due to being the best defensively in the group but Burns was ****ing ridiculous out there. On some nights I felt like I was watching something out of the 1980's but with good defensive play. He had 29 goals and Lord knows he should've had more. And Karlsson is Karlsson. Like I said, Hedman could lose and I wouldn't have a problem with it. This year's Norris candidates were simply outstanding defensively as well as offensively.

 

[Sky04]

Well he probably "deserves it" more than anyone else due to being the best defensively in the group but Burns was ****ing ridiculous out there. On some nights I felt like I was watching something out of the 1980's but with good defensive play. He had 29 goals and Lord knows he should've had more. And Karlsson is Karlsson. Like I said, Hedman could lose and I wouldn't have a problem with it. This year's Norris candidates were simply outstanding defensively as well as offensively.

Karlsson made huge strides his defensive game this year but Sens fans will blow it out of proportion, Karlsson also has less support than the other 2 finalists, that and also his team made the playoffs. Hedman's defensive play also dipped this season, like you said probably the best crop of finalist in a long time but I'd give it Karlsson, Burns lost a lot of ground with his final 15 games.

 

[VoluntaryDom]

Karlsson made huge strides his defensive game this year but Sens fans will blow it out of proportion, Karlsson also has less support than the other 2 finalists, that and also his team made the playoffs. Hedman's defensive play also dipped this season, like you said probably the best crop of finalist in a long time but I'd give it Karlsson, Burns lost a lot of ground with his final 15 games.

For me:

Hedman
Karlsson
Burns

 

[Sky04]

For me:

Hedman
Karlsson
Burns

Karlsson
Burns
Hedman

 

[VoluntaryDom]

really? idk about that man

 

[The Macho King]

Karlsson made huge strides his defensive game this year but Sens fans will blow it out of proportion, Karlsson also has less support than the other 2 finalists, that and also his team made the playoffs. Hedman's defensive play also dipped this season, like you said probably the best crop of finalist in a long time but I'd give it Karlsson, Burns lost a lot of ground with his final 15 games.

I mean... that's certainly the *narrative*. I've seen the same issues with him I've always seen. He's weak on the boards, and he's weak in the crease. He gave up a lot of shot attempts, shots, and scoring chances.

The big narrative is "he's blocking more", but surprisingly Karlsson has always blocked a good number of shots.

His strengths are the same they've always been. Great stick, great at taking the puck away, and great in transition. But his flaws are still there and his in-zone defense was not terrific (while he did get top-notch goaltending).

And I also don't really buy that Hedman's defense dipped. First - the corresponding numbers (shots, shot attempts, scoring chances against) are all very low and by far the best on the team. Second - we had some of the most uneven goaltending in the league - it was either the goaltender putting on a clinic or it looked like Roy's last game in Montreal and no in between.

Hedman looked rough *for him* at points in the season. But I would take him at his worst defensively over either guys at their best any day of the week.

Support I suppose is somewhat fair - Karlsson and Burns both drive their teams offense more than Hedman does. One thing is for sure - you can't put the Bolts not making the playoffs on anything Hedman did though. I know that matters to the voters, but it's stupid it does.

Edit: Let me put it this way - us being reasonable about the flaws in Hedman's performance should not weigh on the fact that Sens fans are incapable of the same w/r/t Karlsson.

 

[VoluntaryDom]

I mean... that's certainly the *narrative*. I've seen the same issues with him I've always seen. He's weak on the boards, and he's weak in the crease. He gave up a lot of shot attempts, shots, and scoring chances.

The big narrative is "he's blocking more", but surprisingly Karlsson has always blocked a good number of shots.

His strengths are the same they've always been. Great stick, great at taking the puck away, and great in transition. But his flaws are still there and his in-zone defense was not terrific (while he did get top-notch goaltending).

And I also don't really buy that Hedman's defense dipped. First - the corresponding numbers (shots, shot attempts, scoring chances against) are all very low and by far the best on the team. Second - we had some of the most uneven goaltending in the league - it was either the goaltender putting on a clinic or it looked like Roy's last game in Montreal and no in between.

Hedman looked rough *for him* at points in the season. But I would take him at his worst defensively over either guys at their best any day of the week.

Support I suppose is somewhat fair - Karlsson and Burns both drive their teams offense more than Hedman does. One thing is for sure - you can't put the Bolts not making the playoffs on anything Hedman did though. I know that matters to the voters, but it's stupid it does.

He was never that bad defensively, people just want to say he was.

 

[Stormbreaker]

 

[Stormbreaker]

Need a translation please!

 

[TeslaCoilFan]

Need a translation please!

OMG the adorable level is off the charts! Like a couple of big kids.

 

[Rschmitz]

Need a translation please!

I'd like to think Hedman asked him about joining the Lightning while rubbing the inside of Karlsson's thigh.

 

[More 2004]

I have no idea what they were saying but I loved every second of it.. Absolutely criminal that there is no Olympics. This may of been the best 1st line Olympic pairing of all time.. :-(

 

[CupsOverCash]

Speaking of going "all in", Yzerman should go all in and get Karlsson to TB to play with Hedman.