Will Lidstrom win Norris trophy again?

[union drone 0]

There are several important factors:

1) Lidstrom's body: will his age start to show and his numbers start to diminish, allowing someone else to rise up to the Norris?

2) Lidstrom's will power: Can he stay engaged enough in the game to continue to play at a top level? Keep in mind his off year after the third Norris. The lockout probably helped him rediscover himself. If he can keep pace offensively with the standard he has set for himself, while continuing to play good defense, it will be hard to argue against him winning.

3) The competition: Will one of the hot youngsters step their game up a notch? Guys like Phaneuf, Campbell, Green, or Markov are capable of putting it all together in a career season and getting the trophy. Old guard guys, like Niedermeyer, Pronger, Chara, Zubov, or Gonchar could enjoy a renaissance and steal the Norris with a strong season.

I would say that the chances are good that Lids wins another Norris before he hangs them up, but at this point he has little to prove. I would not be disappointed if he didn't get one.

[Louisville 112]

Everyone keeps talking about Lidstrom's age, but the beauty of his game is his smarts.

Nick just slows the pace of a game at will, and will break up some of the most dangerous plays with one solid play. His defensive game is pricless and the only one who comes close is Niedermeyer. I think that's what makes a good defenseman, and this is why his +/- is so high every year. I remember last year some ESPN columnist saying Dan Boyle should be considered for the Norris, at -29, that's just idiotic!

Point totals are nice but they are not everything, and should not be first priority of a good d-man. Although, I think our PP is going to be sick this year and Nick's totals will definitely benefit from it.

[BeeRYCE 2]

Yeah, Lidstrom's age is not a factor, considering his best years came in his mid 30's.

[Stu in Israel 0]

Will Datsyuk win the Lady Byng again?

Will Datsyuk win the Selke again?

Will the Wings win the Stanley Cup again?

Will Zetterberg win the Smythe again?

I have read the many intelligent responses by the posters to this topic. Nevertheless I feel that this topic is a prime example of "hockey withdrawal syndrome," "full of sound and fury and signifying nothing!" (Shakespeare's Macbeth)

[DaKineMaui 8]

Except of course for the most important one. Defense.

(Offseason response)

NN - I am due one or, maybe 50 helpings of crow. the s***ty kind of crow, not that gourmet stuff, from when the Cap was institiuted? and we argued about dumping his cap #?

I owe you this post. Long overdue. You are Nostradamus.

You said keep 'im.... I said nope.

You won.

::::::eats:::::::

[Cicada 4]

he should win it, as long as he doesn't get injured..

unfortunately the Phaneuf-Macguire bandwagon is rolling like crazy. How the f*** he got 2nd last year was beyond belief as he's quite a poor defenseman.

he starts the season well, we hear a few 'MONSTER HITS' coming out of the ****** canoe's mouth and nothing will be able to stop him

WHAMMO!

Edited July 18, 2008 by Cicada

[norrisnick 1]

(Offseason response)

NN - I am due one or, maybe 50 helpings of crow. the s***ty kind of crow, not that gourmet stuff, from when the Cap was institiuted? and we argued about dumping his cap #?

I owe you this post. Long overdue. You are Nostradamus.

You said keep 'im.... I said nope.

You won.

::::::eats:::::::

Believe me. You're FAR from the only one that suggested that. Just mind-boggling that there were that many of you.

[DaKineMaui 8]

Believe me. You're FAR from the only one that suggested that. Just mind-boggling that there were that many of you.

Oh I can share?

:::::::EDIT::::::::

Who else is gonna buck-up and give it up?

NN is right again. I couldn't have been the only dumbass.

Edited July 18, 2008 by DaKineMaui

[DaKineMaui 8]

Oh I can share?

:::::::EDIT::::::::

Who else is gonna buck-up and give it up?

NN is right again. I couldn't have been the only dumbass.

cricket ......cricket.......cricket

[Doc Holiday 0]

cricket ......cricket.......cricket

I wasn't here so I can't really say.

[Yemack 1]

I thought he showed a 'hint' of drop in some area.. but he is just so good over his competition that he will probably win it again. Plus Pavel and Z played with puck by themselves in other team's zone half the game... add in Hossa and our experienced squad... there isn't gonna be much to defend.

I think the only up and comer who might challenge Nick in future is Duncan Keith. God I'm really going to hate Chicago.

[Louisville 112]

I thought he showed a 'hint' of drop in some area.. but he is just so good over his competition that he will probably win it again. Plus Pavel and Z played with puck by themselves in other team's zone half the game... add in Hossa and our experienced squad... there isn't gonna be much to defend.

I think the only up and comer who might challenge Nick in future is Duncan Keith. God I'm really going to hate Chicago.

Oh I'm with you on that one. Except I live in Chicago so I'm already there.

But believe me guys, Toews and Kane are going to piss us off for years to come...

[BeeRYCE 2]

Will Datsyuk win the Lady Byng again?

In all honesty, I can't see him winning the Byng again. These playoffs, he played with ton of grit, which I could see carrying on to next season.

[Louisville 112]

In all honesty, I can't see him winning the Byng again. These playoffs, he played with ton of grit, which I could see carrying on to next season.

Why? I mean, I'm all for him plays balls out like that in the playoffs, but I don't think he needs to play like that in the regular season. At least not to risk injury, let the 3rd and 4th lines handle the energy.

Plus, more grit don't mean more penalties either.

[BeeRYCE 2]

Yeah, but more grit can most likely mean less sportsmanship. But yeah, I

[chrisdetroit 189]

07/08 was Lidstroms 6th Norris. (!)

Do you think he will win it again? How many will he still win? And how many seasons do you think he still has left in him (with detroit)...

The Norris Trophy is Nick's until somebody takes it from him or he gives it away. To take it from him, they will have to have an increadible season. For him to give it away, he will have to have a bad season.

The 2nd option isn't likely since he rarely has a bad game let alone a season and he is almost never injured (knock on wood).

So who is capable of having a great season?

I don't think any of the young guns are there yet. Maybe Nieds or dickhead

[Spinner 6]

Do birds fly. There hasn't been a defenseman come close in years. I think he has at least 2 or 3 more great years.

[Dabura 12,232]

Who's going to take it from him? Pronger would have to put together an extremely tight, consistent season, which I don't think he's capable of doing at this point in his career. Phaneuf would have to play absolutely out of his mind; he's good, but nowhere near Nick "Norris" Lidstrom good. Nidermayer may get some sympathy votes, what this this being his "final season" and all. But that won't be enough. Brian Campbell? Seriously?

I think the only potential threat is what someone referred to earlier as "Lidstrom fatigue" on the part of the voters.