#HedmanForNorris
By Victor Cabrera
The NHL announced this season’s three candidates for the Norris Trophy. The three candidates are Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings, PK Subban of the Nashville Predators, and Victor Hedman of our Tampa Bay Lightning. All three defensemen made the playoffs with their respective team and all were voted for the All Star game in their division. Hedman however with an injured knee did not participate. Hedman is the only candidate for the Norris this season who was also a candidate last season, with that being said let’s go more in depth on Victor Hedman’s regular season.
Heddy’s Numbers
Hedman played 77 games (kind of ironic huh?) this season scoring 17 goals and recording 46 assists for a total of 63 points in the season. 17 goals is a new career high for the Swedish defender. 17 goals also gives Hedman the league leading scoring title by defensemen, along with Dougie Hamilton of the Calgary Flames. Hedman is now the franchise leading goal scoring defensemen with 82 goals. He has the highest ice time of the team per game at 25:51. A big year for him to say the least.
Hedman for the Win
It would be fantastic to see Hedman win the Norris after a great season that validates him as one of the top defenders in the National Hockey League. He’s been consistent since being drafted by Tampa in 2009 and has made himself a niche in the Lightning organization. He has been a great leader for the team, definitely a franchise player that any team would want as their defender. The knee injury was his only downside this season costing him the All-Star game but he proved to be a big part of the Lightning’s success this season. Hopefully this big season by Hedman is enough to edge his competition and win the Norris trophy this summer. He would also be the first player of the Lightning if he wins the award to ever achieve this trophy.