News Article: Kings' Doughty Worthy Of Norris Crown Thus Far

[Reclamation Project]

[nhl]721799[/nhl]

He's still leading the League in average time on ice per game, but he missed two games because of the mumps, and Drew Doughty has taken the mantle as the most-used skater in the NHL to this point in the 2014-15 season.

To be clear, just leading the NHL in time on ice is not reason to be the leading contender for the Norris Trophy. There are many examples of defensemen whose performances have suffered because they arguably played too much (Suter before this season could be placed in that group).

That said, Doughty has been the best defenseman in the NHL through the midway point of the season.

His ability to perform at an elite level despite playing more than 29 minutes per game enhances his resume and gives him a slight edge in comparison to a few others with a legitimate claim for the award at this point.

There is a group of 38 defensemen who had logged at least 700 minutes of 5-on-5 ice time through the games Saturday, and in that group are all of the leading contenders for the Norris Trophy.

Doughty is second in Corsi for percentage, but the raw numbers are also a big part of it. He and Duncan Keith of the Chicago Blackhawks are far beyond the others in a simple shot attempt plus-minus, with Keith on the ice for 231 more shot attempts than his opponents, and Doughty for 221 more. Next on the list is Dougie Hamilton of the Boston Bruins at plus-151.

Doughty and Keith each has 26 points, leaving each one shy of the being in the top 10 in points among defensemen.

The separator between the two is Doughty's sheer volume of dictating the play. He's logged 146 more minutes at even strength than Keith. A big reason for Doughty's increase in ice time has been an injury to Jake Muzzin, as well as the suspension of Slava Voynov. Doughty is giving his team an extra three minutes a night of elite puck possession at even strength that would otherwise go to a depth player.

Keith's profile is pretty compelling, and he might be playing better this season than last when he rode a bunch of points to his second Norris victory.

Doughty has been the best defenseman in the League, and the numbers (beyond points) back it up.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=748171

Click to read more...

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Nice!

Let's hope others feel the same way. He's been getting sharper but it's clear big minutes can hurt him some games. But imo he's doing more with less than most other top candidates.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Had to do a double take on NHL.com. Awesome to see his name in that mix.

 

[Little Psycho]

He can fly as well.

What else does the league want?!

 

[BigBrown]

I don't necessarily feel like Doughty is having a Norris-type season but the recognition is nice and you can't argue with his body of work.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Best laugh in the league too!

 

[damacles1156]

He laughs like that guy in the Karate kid, you know the scene...O yes you do.

 

[Jeff18]

Good to see him get recognition. If this award went by his resume he'd deserve it.

 

[Reclamation Project]

 

[Bandit]

I just put it in the GDT, but it's never happening.

 

[ru4reals]

I love Drew just as much as the next person and maybe he'll win one or two Norris's in the future but no way he wins it this year! Ever since Karrlson and Subban won the Norris over Weber and Suter I don't consider this award credible!

 

[kingsholygrail]

If he can keep it up, you never know. Keith's gonna have to take a dump though to be out of it as he will quickly become the go-to for Norris.

 

[Ron*]

Not mentioned at all in the video. I want that 2:46 of my life back.

 

[go4hockey]

I love Drew just as much as the next person and maybe he'll win one or two Norris's in the future but no way he wins it this year! Ever since Karrlson and Subban won the Norris over Weber and Suter I don't consider this award credible!

I agree with you they have turned this award into a stat award and not to the "best defenseman" like it should be. I wish they would make a new award call it the Paul Coffey award and give that to the scoring defenseman

 

[The Butcher]

Now that the high flying Kings are playing this really fun north south game he might be able to rack up the points to win the thing.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Now that the high flying Kings are playing this really fun north south game he might be able to rack up the points to win the thing.

No kidding eh.

We always said if the Kings were more offensive guys like Kopi and Doughty would be animals. Their scoring rates are bat **** insane.

 

[Papa Mocha 15]

Not mentioned at all in the video. I want that 2:46 of my life back.

This is why I review the thread before clicking on videos. I just saved 2:46 of my life. Thanks Ron, you continue to help out this board by bringing it every day!

 

[lumbergh]

I love Doughty as much as the next fan, but I don't think he gets one this year. He's been great the last month or so, but the first month and a half it looked like he was trying to win the Norris too hard.

 

[Bee Sheriff]

Doughty has been scoring A LOT more than in past seasons too, that always helps.

 

[sinister6000]

It's time to make Doughty an assistant captain, he really stepped up his leadership this season.

 

[Reclamation Project]

I don't think it's time for that.

 

[Omni Owl]

He's not having a Noris season at all, but he is eating up a lot of minutes. We'd obviously be ****ed without him...

 

[KingsCourt]

need to get him help ...asap, i think we need to two dmen to help the cause...schultz, Mcbain and McNabb (although playing better lately) will not take us to promise land again. Greene should be 6 not a 4.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

He's not having a Noris season at all, but he is eating up a lot of minutes. We'd obviously be ****ed without him...

I thought so earlier too but he's doing more with less than other top candidates and literally carrying our defense at times. Like Giordano, that also makes him more vulnerable when something stupid actually happens.

Weber and Keith are also certainly up there and you can't punish them for their teams being better at the moment because they're a large part of that success. But what Giordano and Doughty are doing is more impressive.

 

[cyclones22]

I thought so earlier too but he's doing more with less than other top candidates and literally carrying our defense at times. Like Giordano, that also makes him more vulnerable when something stupid actually happens.

Weber and Keith are also certainly up there and you can't punish them for their teams being better at the moment because they're a large part of that success. But what Giordano and Doughty are doing is more impressive.

The funny thing is, we're getting spoiled in regards to Doughty. Name another defender in the league who would play better than Doughty on our team logging those minutes in every situation. So we'd be a better team right now with Giordano or Weber replacing Doughty? Highly doubtful.

Edit: FYI, Helene Elliott has also chosen Drew for her Norris winner at the halfway mark. It's in today's LA Times.