On a night when the Blackhawks are making big news due to the Byfuglien trade (not yet officially announced), one of the Hawks who willl be back next year, Duncan Keith, won the Norris Trophy as this past season’s best defenseman:
Keith received 76 of 133 first-place votes and 1,096 points to edge Mike Green of the Washington Capitals, who garnered 34 first-place votes and 831 points to earn a second-place finish in Norris Trophy voting for the second consecutive season.
Playing all 82 games for the third time in his five-year NHL career, Keith logged a total of 2,180:34 in ice time, the most among all NHL players. Having steadily increased his production each year, he took his offense to another level this season, registering career highs in goals (14), assists (55) and points (69). Keith ranked second to Washington’s Mike Green among NHL defensemen in assists and points. He posted a plus-21 rating and is plus-84 over the past three seasons.
Keith is the fourth Blackhawks defenseman to capture the Norris Trophy since it was first presented in 1954, joining Pierre Pilote (1963 through 1965), Doug Wilson (1982) and Chris Chelios (1993 and 1996).