Early Norris trophy candidates?

I really doubt many people are focused on hating Darnell Nurse. Flames fans, maybe.

 

Plenty of times top scoring D who are truly bad defensively don't get nominated. It's happened to Yandle, Vishnovsky, and plenty of others.

Hughes' bad year has gotten plenty of press despite his point totals. He's not going to win the green jacket *and* get a Norris nom.

 

probably, but in fairness that's 100% the correct way to use a young offensive defenceman.

 

I'll say it again, the pendulum swings massively on HFOil.

In the first 9 games, they were ready to shoot him into the moon. The same complaint as always, "all the tools, no toolbox". I won't even get into how HFOil has railed on the guy for his entire career there.

He's had a great 12 games, buoyed by playing with McDrai, but this is the norm.

He's looked better than he ever has, but let's pump the brakes on Norris talk.

As to the question......Makar and Hedman are the front runners for sure.

 

I think Hedman, Makar, and McAvoy are the clear leaders at this point.

 

McAvoy is solid but not elite.

 

rooting for makar

 

i doubt he'd win it but i definitely think Ekblad should be in the convo considering the year he's had so far

 

I guess to answer OP, the Norris favorite at the moment is Makar.

If the question was who's the best defenseman in the game at this very moment (so not looking at age, contract, etc.), then I take Hedman 10 times out of 10.

 

Yes, let's name off a bunch of .5 PPG D as comparisons. Well done.

 

I would agree with this.

 

Watching him vs the Jets this season, I’d say he looks pretty damn good.

 

I've been pretty impressed with Pionk on your side. He's a massive pain in the ass and I say that positively.

 

Hedman and McAvoy. hedman likely in front due to earned reputation.

 

Joe can shut the f*** up as he hasn't won a god damn thing in this league.

 

Nah. He’s elite.
The way he has put that defense corp on his back this season in absence of chara and krug has been astounding. I think he’s 1a/1b with hedman.

 

Interesting that Doughty is the only one that needs to keep it up.

 

I meant in terms of his return too being elite. Had a few down years there.

 

I think the early bad press and shortened season would probably be too much to overcome, but he's righted the ship again defensively. I doubt he comes close to the green jacket.

 

Are you talking about Mike Rielly? Because Morgan Rielly is nowhere near the conversation this year. I also don't think Petry is, a hot start doesn't make a Norris Dman.

 

My guess is one of

Hedman, Makar, McAvoy, or Theadore will win it.

It’s still early though and a lot can change.

 

Hedman and Makar seem to be clearly ahead of the pack, I think Doughty is getting overrated but he is likely 3rd atm. I like Nurse in the top 5 atleast

 

Doughty plays against some of the worst offensive teams in the NHL on a regular basis. If we want to talk about how the North plays 0 defence and the offensive players should get an asterisk then let’s talk about a division where you could combine 4 teams top 6 forwards and probably not even come out with 1 that make another teams top line

 

Where would people rate Chychrun?
I haven't followed his play closely, but have him on my fantasy roster and he's been spectacular for points this year.

 

1st tier: Hedman

2nd tier: Maker/McAvoy

3rd tier: Nurse/Petry/Doughty

Would be how i have it.