Early Norris favourite

[Gargyn]

Some solid dmen this year worthy of Norris talk. Ekblad has carried the Panthers to the top of the league, as has McAvoy with the Bruins. Hedman of course is still as good as they come and Doughty is seeing an incredible return to form to bring LA close to the playoffs. Of course we have Makar and Hughes and then surprised play of Nurse and Petry. Thoughts?

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[danpantz]

Bruins fan here, It's Hedman

 

[SotasicA]

It's Ekblad. Who woulda thunk the Panthers can be this good?

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

Hedman has the reputation now, so he is likely #1. Over time it seems McAvoy and Makar will be in the running as well.

 

[francaisvolantsparis]

Sergachev

 

[Steven Toast]

Makar for me.

 

[M2Beezy]

Over 60% of the answers are either Hedman or Hughes. Unreal times

 

[Dominance]

You’re kidding, putting Hughes and Carlson as options.

 

[IceNeophyte]

I voted Other for Theodore because I'm a homer.

 

[The Macho King]

Over 60% of the answers are either Hedman or Hughes. Unreal times

1 vote for Hughes isn't really notable?

 

[majormajor]

Some solid dmen this year worthy of Norris talk. Ekblad has carried the Panthers to the top of the league, as has McAvoy with the Bruins. Hedman of course is still as good as they come and Doughty is seeing an incredible return to form to bring LA close to the playoffs. Of course we have Makar and Hughes and then surprised play of Nurse and Petry. Thoughts?

Those players aren't in the same category anymore.

Hughes has had a brutal start defensively, getting scored on more than any player in the league, by a big margin.

If the Norris is handed out today Makar should win it, he's clearly #1 in both the analytical category and the "holy shit did you see that?" category.



There's a decent chance Hedman catches up later, of course.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Hedman has the reputation now, so he is likely #1. Over time it seems McAvoy and Makar will be in the running as well.

This used to make people mad, but I guess it's okay now...wonder what changed...

Voted Makar, McAvoy Doughty Hedman right behind for now.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

McAvoy. Many are underrating him. No way he shouldn’t at least he close to Hedman/Makar in votes.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Fox should also be an option. He carries the Rangers defense on his back.

 

[These Are The Days]

It's Hedman

 

[Ben White]

Those players aren't in the same category anymore.

Hughes has had a brutal start defensively, getting scored on more than any player in the league, by a big margin.

If the Norris is handed out today Makar should win it, he's clearly #1 in both the analytical category and the "holy shit did you see that?" category.



There's a decent chance Hedman catches up later, of course.

omg Makar could be the new EK. He actually reminds me of Karlsson pre Matt Cooke in 2013, that wow factor.

 

[majormajor]

omg Makar could be the new EK. He actually reminds me of Karlsson pre Matt Cooke in 2013, that wow factor.

I prefer Ryan Whitney's comparison "Barry Sanders in skates". There's never been a defenseman that's moved like Makar. He's a fast-twitch freak.

 

[pb1300]

Hedman
Makar
Ekblad

That’s my top 3.

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

This used to make people mad, but I guess it's okay now...wonder what changed...

Voted Makar, McAvoy Doughty Hedman right behind for now.

I think we have come to accept it. The last Lidstrom Norris is what did it for me.

 

[Northern Avs Fan]

Fox should also be an option. He carries the Rangers defense on his back.

I’m not sure I understand the Fox argument right now. Maybe if he heats up the rest of the way, but as it stands, it’s a tough case.

If you’re looking for a heavy minute defenceman on a sub-par defensive core, Doughty is probably your guy. Maybe a guy like Pionk if you’re looking for another guy who’s playing on a defence with a lack of talent.

Not that I think it’s a great idea to just pick guys who play on defences without a lot of defensive help, but Fox probably wouldn’t be my first choice under that criteria.

 

[5 14 6 1]

Hedman and Makar top two for me.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I’m not sure I understand the Fox argument right now. Maybe if he heats up the rest of the way, but as it stands, it’s a tough case.

If you’re looking for a heavy minute defenceman on a sub-par defensive core, Doughty is probably your guy. Maybe a guy like Pionk if you’re looking for another guy who’s playing on a defence with a lack of talent.

Not that I think it’s a great idea to just pick guys who play on defences without a lot of defensive help, but Fox probably wouldn’t be my first choice under that criteria.

I'm not saying he's winning the Norris this year, but he's better than Petry, Carlson, Hughes, in my opinion.

I think the top five this year is going to be some combination of Hedman, Makar, McAvoy, Doughty, and Ekblad. After that, I'm putting Adam Fox's name in the discussion, and I don't know that there are all that many after that better than him.

 

[Northern Avs Fan]

I'm not saying he's winning the Norris this year, but he's better than Petry, Carlson, Hughes, in my opinion.

I think the top five this year is going to be some combination of Hedman, Makar, McAvoy, Doughty, and Ekblad. After that, I'm putting Adam Fox's name in the discussion, and I don't know that there are all that many after that better than him.

Gotcha.

I’ve enjoyed watching Fox in my Rangers viewings this season. He’s a real poised defenceman. No doubt he’ll be a huge part of their success moving forward.

 

[Dr Salt]

Makar is my personal pick, Hedman will also be a finalist as well as McAvoy

 

[MNRube]

Makar is my personal pick, Hedman will also be a finalist as well as McAvoy

agreed, those 3 feel like the clear leaders at the moment