2013-14 NHL Picks and Predictions: Norris Memorial Trophy Favorites, Dark Horses and Sleepers

2013-14 NHL Picks and Predictions: Norris Memorial Trophy Favorites, Dark Horses and Sleepers: The Norris Memorial Trophy is the NHL’s equivalent of the Defensive Player of the Year, and since it was introduced in 1954, 25 different players have received the award. Doug Harvey and Nicklas Lidstrom have each won the award seven times, but sandwiched around Lidstrom’s record-tying seventh Norris Trophy honor have been four first-time winners. Last year, Montreal’s P.K. Subban became the latest first-time winner, and considering his career is just getting started, he could certainly repeat. However, plenty of talented, young defensemen are waiting to challenge him. With that in mind, here is a closer look at the top contenders for the Norris Memorial Trophy heading into the 2013-14 NHL season.

The Favorites

Defending Norris Trophy winner P.K. Subban is just entering his prime so receiving the honor in back-to-back years is a real possibility. The Montreal star is coming off a year when he tied for the league lead among defensemen in points with 38, including a league-leading 26 on the power play. His 11 goals were the second most among defensemen, and he ranked third with 27 assists. Subban’s 38 points actually tied a career best, but he reached the mark in 35 fewer games. If he plays the entire 2013-14 season at the same scoring clip, a truly special year could be on tap.

Had he not had his Achilles tendon slashed early in the year, Ottawa’s Erik Karlsson would likely have won the Norris Trophy for the second season in a row. Instead, he had to settle for 14 points in 17 games. In the previous season, he tallied 78 points in 81 games, including 59 assists. Karlsson runs the point on the power play as well as any defenseman in the league, and he has steadily improved his own scoring ability during his first four seasons. Karlsson has the type of talent to make a run at a 100-point season and win the Norris Trophy for the second time in three years.

The Dark Horses

While he may not be the best goal scorer, Pittsburgh’s Kris Letang can distribute the puck as well as any defensemen in the game. In fact, he led all players at the position with 33 assists last season and tied for the overall point lead with 38. Yes, he benefits from playing in a high-powered Penguins’ offense that is loaded with stars, but Letang’s passing ability is legit. If he can mix in a few more goals in 2013-14, he could amass an impressive enough point total to net himself the Vezina Trophy.

After signing a huge deal prior to the start of last season, Ryan Suter didn’t disappoint in his first season in Minnesota. He finished third among defensemen with 32 points, and his 28 assists were the second most of any player at the position. Suter has never been much of a goal scorer, but if he can post another lofty assist total for an improving Wild team, the Norris Trophy isn’t out of reach.

His offensive stats may not be quite as impressive as some of the other Norris Trophy contenders, but Chicago’s Duncan Keith might be the best two-way player at his position. Keith can be penciled in for 30-plus assists and 100-plus blocked shots in a full season, and last year, he was the anchor of the top defense in the NHL. If Keith puts up his all-around numbers again in 2013-14 while helping the Blackhawks have one of the toughest defenses in the league, he will be in the mix.

The Sleeper

In each of the last three seasons, the injury bug has bitten Washington’s Mike Green. However, he was stellar in the last two seasons when he was able to remain relatively healthy. Green tallied 68 points in 68 games in 2008 and 76 points in 75 games in 2009. If Green can produce at his point-per-game clip of a few years ago and actually play the entire year, the Norris Trophy is certainly obtainable.

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