Norris Trophy Race Contenders
- Joe Bauer (@PensFanInWisco)
- Apr 2, 2016
- 3 min read
The 2015-16' season was filled with Norris Trophy contenders. For those of you who may be novice fans of the NHL or aren't familiar with the NHL's awards that are given out, the Norris goes to the best all-around defenseman each season. What is more fun than predicting possible award winners? I do that with this piece here. Take a look...
Kris Letang:
73 GP, 55 pts. (14/41/55)
26:39 ATOI
http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/l/letankr01.html

Every year we see his name in talks early in the season, and by the end of every season he falls out of those talks. However, not for his play; for his time away from the game due to injuries. This year has been different, however, he’s been a key player on the ice on both sides of the puck.
He jumps up into the rush, and yet is still able to get back and cause disruptions for any forward coming into the zone. And the best part about this: he’s been doing this consistently all season.
He has shown resiliency this season. Going from struggling early in the season under Johnston to breaking out and having a career season under Sullivan. It’s like he’s playing the way he should’ve been playing in seasons past. With Tanger now staying healthy and avoiding serious injuries he has been able to play like an all star. Like a Norris Trophy finalist, possibly even a guy who deserves the trophy.
Kris Letang has had a few chances to win that award, and this year would be another year for that, if it weren’t for Erik Karlsson...
Erik Karlsson:
75 GP, 75 pts. (13/62/75)
29:07 ATOI
http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/k/karlser01.html

What can you say against this guy’s case for the Norris Trophy yet again? For a guy who has already won it twice, it’s looking like he’s going to win it a third time.
What he has been able to do on a team that has struggled the last few seasons is amazing. His point production with little to no real weapons to work with on the offensive side of the puck. He is such a viable weapon for Ottawa, he draws the attention Sidney Crosby does when teams play the Sens.
You could even argue he is one of the only reasons they are in the position they are at this point in the season. He is such a complete player. It’s difficult to find a better all around defensemen whom has played as consistently as Karlsson has. The only arguable defensemen would be Kris Letang, but the only reason I still say Karlsson is better is because he does what he can with almost nothing. Letang is able to produce the way he does due to all the weapons the Pens have.
Hard to plead the case against this guy.
But then again, in addition to Tanger, there’s also this guy...
Brent Burns
74 GP, 66 pts. (26/40/66)
26:02 ATOI
http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/b/burnsbr01.html

Chewbacca. What can you say about this guy that shows he doesn’t deserve a nomination for the Norris? This guy is a very tough, two-way defenseman. He creates so many opportunities for the rest of his offense and still makes it tough for any other offense to get going.
With a heavy shot from the blue line and a heavy hit whether it be in open ice or against the boards.
It’s tough to argue against this guy, but considering what he is going up against this year, it’s a little tough to say this guy is a Norris Trophy winner, but to me, definitely a finalist. But, this is really the first season Burns has been producing this way; the first season he has produced as an elite defenseman. A little later in his career than most, but hopefully more years like this ahead of him.
It’ll be interesting to see how the season is going to finish up. Most teams with less than ten games left, and a lot more hockey for these three guys. It’s going to be fun watching these guys come down the stretch. I hope Tanger can leave the awards ceremony with his first Norris.
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