Wally112pac said:
People don't look at stats when they vote for the Norris lol.
So you're sayin that we wouldn't wear down like 98% of the players do?
He started out on fire in 03-04 too then slowed down.
You can look at stats all you want but to say Pitkanen's total game is where Lidstrom, Chara, Pronger's, Niedermayer's, Redden's and Blake's is just crazy.
To tell you the truth he's in a small group of young dman that will win the Norris for the next decade.
Pitkanen
Whitney
Meszaros
Volchenkov
Bouwmeester
Hamhuis
Seabrook
Phaneuf
IMO that's the elite group of young D in the NHL. All young, all have a lot to learn. All not in the established players class that i mentioned above just yet.
All around game of Chara, Lidstrom, or Niedermayer, probably not. I don't think he's far behind Redden though right now. And I'd take him over Blake right now without thinking twice about it.
Like it or not, stats play a huge role in the Norris trophy, a big reason why Stevens never won it. He would've been right there for the Norris with the numbers he would've put up, his plus/minus and the fact that he is solid in his own zone.
As for the future, I think he and Phaneuf are a step above the rest of the guys. I'd group the guys you listed as follows:
Future Norris near locks
Phanuf and Pitkanen
Could join that group
Bouwmeester and Hamhuis
Real good, potential #1's
Meszaros, Whitney
Top pair
Seabrook
What is he doing here, he's solid, but not a future top pair, imo
Volchenkov
As for Bouwmeester. I'd take his stock has fallen a bit. When he came out, he was supposed to be the next Orr. For all intents and purposes, he went #1 in his draft year. He is an exceptional skater with great size and a very good first pass. I still think he has the talent to be a great defenseman and he's developing just fine, but I also think he's been passed by Phaneuf and Pitkanen without question.