Doughty, Green, Keith to vie for Norris Trophy

Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings, Mike Green of the Washington Capitals and Duncan Keith of the Chicago Blackhawks are the finalists for the 2009-10 Norris Trophy. None are older than 26, the three Canadians finished 1-2-3 among defensemen in scoring, and one will be a first-time winner of the honor.

The James Norris Memorial Trophy is presented annually "to the defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position." The winner is selected in a poll by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association at the end of the regular season.

The winner of the trophy will be announced at the 2010 NHL Awards, to be held in Las Vegas on June 23. The ceremony will be broadcast live from the Pearl Concert Theater inside the Palms Hotel Las Vegas on VERSUS in the United States and CBC in Canada.

Here is a closer look at the finalists.

Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings
DREW DOUGHTY
DEFENSE - LAK
GOALS: 16 | ASST: 43 | PTS: 59
PP: 9 | PIM: 54 | +/-: 20
From All-Rookie Team member in 2008-09 to Norris Trophy finalist, it's been a remarkable ascent for the 20-year-old Doughty.

In 82 games this season, he had 16 goals, 43 assists and 59 points with a plus-20 rating. Among all League defensemen, Doughty was first in game-winning goals (5), second in power-play points (31), tied for second in goals and power-play goals (9), third in points, and tied for fifth in assists and power-play assists (22).

Doughty became the second-youngest defenseman in Kings history to record 50 points in a season, trailing only Larry Murphy (76 points in 1980-81). His best offensive stretch was 27 points (5 goals, 22 assists) in 28 games from Dec. 28 to March 10.

Defensively, Doughty blocked 76 shots, averaged 2:01 per game on the penalty kill, played more than 25 minutes in a game 39 times, and went over 30 minutes on two occasions. He closed the regular season with an active streak of 121 straight games plays, dating to Jan. 17, 2009.

"His year has been spectacular through this season," coach Terry Murray said. "The points, the key situations, the fact that the team has moved up in the standings and is starting to get some recognition around the League.

"He's an anchor for us back there, and I think, right now, he's comparable, No. 1 and on the defensive part of the game, with plus/minus and minutes played."

The Kings selected Doughty with the No. 2 pick in the 2008 Entry Draft.

Doughty would become the second player in team history to win the Norris, joining Rob Blake (1997-98). Only two other times did a Los Angeles defenseman place in the top five in balloting -- Blake was third in 1999-2000, and Steve Duchesne fifth in 1988-89.
Mike Green, Washington Capitals

MIKE GREEN
DEFENSE - WSH
GOALS: 19 | ASST: 57 | PTS: 76
PP: 10 | PIM: 54 | +/-: 39

The fifth-year blueliner received Norris consideration for the second straight season. He was the runner-up to Boston's Zdeno Chara in 2008-09.

In 75 games, Green had 19 goals, 57 assists and 76 points, leading all League defensemen in all three categories. His assists and points were career-bests, as was a plus-39 rating (third overall in the NHL). Green, who recorded at least one point in 56 games, scored the most points by a Capitals defenseman since Kevin Hatcher had 79 in 1992-93.

Green, 24, became the 13th defenseman in League history with 70 or more points in consecutive seasons, joining such luminaries as Ray Bourque, Paul Coffey, Brian Leetch, Al MacInnis, Denis Potvin, Bobby Orr, and Nicklas Lidstrom. He's the seventh to accomplish the feat before turning 25.

In 2009-10, Green was the only defenseman in the NHL to record at least one point in eight straight games, and he posted three such streaks, including a career-best nine-game stretch. Among all NHL blueliners, he was first in power-play production with 10 goals, 25 assists and 35 points.

"The (offensive numbers) are nice, but not something where I can hang my hat and feel like I've accomplished something," Green told NHL.com. "I think there's a lot more to accomplish. The thing is, I am looked upon to score goals and create offense from the back end. But I'm trying to become a complete player -- that's what I'm striving for."

Green's 25:28 of ice time per game was ninth-best among NHL defensemen, and he averaged 2:09 shorthanded and 5:03 on the power play. He recorded 133 hits, 105 blocked shots and 44 takeaways. Green's 33:48 on Feb. 13 at St. Louis was a single-game team high in ice time.

Green is bidding to become the second player in franchise history to win the Norris, joining Rod Langway (1982-83 and 1983-84). The last Capitals player to place in the top five in balloting was Sergei Gonchar in 2002-03 (fourth).
Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks

DUNCAN KEITH
DEFENSE - CHI
GOALS: 14 | ASST: 55 | PTS: 69
PP: 3 | PIM: 51 | +/-: 21

The Chicago alternate captain experienced a breakout season in his fifth season, with career-highs in goals (14), assists (55) and points (69) to earn his first career Norris nomination. Keith also had 3 power-play goals and a career-best 213 shots on goal, all in 82 games.

Keith's point total was second among all NHL defensemen. It also was the highest-scoring season by a Chicago defenseman since Chris Chelios posted 72 points in 1995-96.

He led all NHL defensemen in goals (10), assists (38) and points (48) at even-strength. Keith also was proficient on the penalty kill, leading all defensemen with 5 shorthanded points (1 goal, 4 assists).

Keith, 26, was second among all defensemen with 15 multi-point contests, and also excelled defensively with 143 blocked shots and a plus-21 rating. He was second in the NHL with an average of 26:35 of ice time per game. Keith played more than 30 minutes in a game eight times, including a team season-high of 32:40 March 14 against Washington. He averaged 2:58 on the penalty kill and 2:48 on the power play per game.

"The best part for us, as far as measuring a defenseman's efficiency, is consistency -- and predictability," coach Joel Quenneville told NHL.com. "And Duncan has been that, game in and game out.

"His numbers offensively have increased this year. (Thanks to) his quickness, his shot seems to be penetrating more this year. Certainly we really like the energy he brings, shift in and shift out. You know he's going to get the job done."

He would become the fourth player in franchise history to win the Norris, joining Chelios (1992-93 and 1995-96), Doug Wilson (1981-82), and Pierre Pilote (1962-63, 1963-64, 1964-65).

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=526744

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"Tis The Season, Fa la la la la LaFontaine" - Rick Jeanneret

It will be between Green and Keith.

Hard to pick one really, Green is a much better offensively gifted defender than Keith but can play the game two ways exceptionally well.

Keith is more of a defender but can also play the puck both ways.

This is a hard choice really. Doughty has really come to his own also, and could win the trophy.

I would give it to Green, I know he would never score as many points as he would without the Capitals, but a guy who can play both ways is just too dangerous to ignore. And its an anchor on the defense.

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I think it has to go to the young gun Doughty

He's got the best all around game as a defensive man. He runs the PP, PK, EV; great plus minus, and stays out of the box for the most part. 76 blocks, and about 22 mins a night. He's on an exponentially worse team that both Green and Keith, and still puts up same numbers.

Personally I give my vote to Doughty, but Kieth will win it. It's the more "traditional" pick

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"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010

I'd say Doughty... for basically the same reason as jvaccaro. Green is great offensively but leaves something to be desired defensively. I guess Keith would be a good choice too, but I give the nod to Doughty personally.

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I said Doughty for pretty much the same reasons as jay, and the fact that Keith has a better team around him than Doughty does, except perhaps at goaltender.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

Green isnt even close to the other two defensively, it is between Keith and Doughty for me.

I hope doughty wins it but i wonder if the league will say oh he's too young to win he'll have more time.

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"Tis The Season, Fa la la la la LaFontaine" - Rick Jeanneret

Maybe I am wrong, but didn't Pronger have a great year this year with the flyers ?


.........oh yea, and next year....some guy named Myers will be on that ballet

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"It is more about them than it is about the team...Cannot play with them, cannot win with them, cannot coach with them. Can't do it. I want winners. I want people that want to win." - Mike Singletary

Tyler Myers - Future captain of the Buffalo Sabres, and future Norris Trophy Winner

Manning the machine gun on the Tyler Myers Bandwagon - just in case any teams have an idea of prying him away from us (3 GM's shot already)

Connolly/Roy - 2 goals in the last 47 playoff games

i sure hope so. its impressive that, for all the praise we give myers, and how good he is, doughty is light years past myers, and only.. 2 months older? that extra year he has on tyler is HUGE.

im expecting myers offensive numbers to decline next season, but his defense to be much better, and for him to be more physical. and if he can fill out a few pounds, woof..

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I like Donuts as well, for all the reasons stated. And yea, Mike, the year he has over Myers at the NHL is insane in how it's translated to his game.

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mechaphil

Keith or Doughty.

Well duh.

But was Doughty as impressive in his first year in the NHL like Myers was.

I don't even think Doughty had a chance for the Calder last year, but Myers impressed even more for the Calder this year.

I don't think Doughty is light years ahead of Myers. Myers is going to be amazing, and his year in the NHL to next year will be light years ahead of what he is now. I can only see Myers' offensive numbers increase and his defense to just only get better, and a meaner side to Myers when he comes into next year at closer to 240 also.

I'm sure his workout routine and eating habits will have him gain 20 pounds during the offseason.

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The ONLY reason Drew Doughty did not win the Calder last season was because Steve Mason single-handedly carried the Blue Jackets into their only post-season appearance in franchise history.

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mechaphil

Just was wondering, didn't Stamkos had a good running for it, did Doughty finish second or third in it is my question?

I'm sure Myers will be a candidate for the Norris next year if he just improves which he is determined to do. We've yet to see how good Myers can be, and we've yet to see how good Doughty will be.

They will both be the best defensmen in the 2008 draft. I feel bad for Schenn, his transition to the NHL is much harder since he's on such a terrible team.

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I think it has to be Doughty. He's already absolutely phenomenal and at 20 years old, he's only going to get better. He should win this season and I wouldn't be surprised in the least if he won the Norris for next 10-15 years in a row as well. He's just that good.

I don't think Stammers was. He wasn't very good last year. He just heated up from the middle/end of the season to make his stats not look so bad. I think he had 21g and 21a...playing with Lecavalier and St. Louis....

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"Ah...composite sticks...you can't beat 'em...unless you have a wooden one..."-Harry Neale

In Pegula We We Trust!

Look at the teams.

Green:Offensive team with Backstrom, Semin, OV, Knuble, ETC.
Keith: CHICAGO WAS CLOSE TO FIRST IN THE WESTERN CONFERENCE. OFF BY ONE POINT AND THEIR OFFENSE AND DEFENSE WAS AMAZING GOALTENDING DECENT.
Doughty: A team that hasn't made the playoffs for quite some time, only Kopitar had more points than Doughty.

All AWESOME D men, I LOVE Keith, but Doughty deserves it IMO.

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.

he is lightyears ahead. not that its a bad thing, really. we dont have to have the best everything. we will see, i still expect myers defense to really blossom next year, and his offensive numbers to dip a little. its all part of learning a well rounded game.

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Myers should be close to as good to Doughty next year, NOT AS GOOD but a notch closer.

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.