Duncan Keith has been nominated for the James Norris Memorial Trophy to be presented tonight at the Pearl Theater at The Palms in Las Vegas. Also being presented tonight will be the Calder, Vezina and Hart trophies.
↵Keith is the lone Hawks player to be nominated this year. He faces stiff competiton from Los Angels Kings player Drew Doughty and the Washington Capitals’ Mike Green.
↵↵↵The Norris Trophy is awarded 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.
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While Keith’s numbers fall below those of Doughty and Green, his style of play differs, which is what got him nominated this year.
↵According to nhl.com:
↵↵↵Keith’s game isn’t about dishing out punishment. His game is speed and positioning, and few are as good or better right now. His 143 blocked shots are a testament to being in the right place at the right time, and the fact Keith faced the opposition’s top offensive players every game and still managed to finish ninth among defensemen at plus-21 shows his two-way value.
↵Perhaps most impressive is how Keith does it all while playing 26:35 per game, the second-most ice time in the NHL. He’s a workhorse who can jumpstart the offense from the back end while being counted on to defend against the League’s best scorers.
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Good luck Duncan. The Deep Dish hopes you can add the Norris Trophy to your Stanley Cup win!