Mike Green, are we looking at a new Norris Winner

[Coolio Mendez 7]

You'll need to adjust those for tonight's games.

Playing the stat game, Nick has one fewer point than Wideman and five more than Chara. His +/- is five lower than Wideman and one higher than Chara. They're all in the same neighborhood.

And, with all due respect to Rafalski, neither of those two have been paired with Rafalski for most of the year.

Some people probably feel that Rafalski is having a better year than Lidstrom. Chara has Wideman, Lidstrom has Rafalski, and Mike Green has Tom Poti?

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

Some people probably feel that Rafalski is having a better year than Lidstrom.

Those people are absolutely, unequivocally wrong.

[norrisnick 1]

Tell that to Scott Stevens a hard hitter who personified the defense-first mentality, Craig Ludwig who was well-known for his shot-blocking ability. Both these guys combined have a total of zero Norris's.

How come Mike Komiskarek get any considerations? He one of the best if not best at blocking shots, plays the PK, great in his own end and a fierce hitter. His play defines defense. It's no secret if you have the numbers your getting the vote.

Stevens ran into Ray Bourque and Nick Lidstrom in his best seasons. Sorry, Scott they're better than you. And Ludwig was well-known for making a mockery of protective equipment.

Strapping goalie pads to your shins doesn't make you Norris caliber.

Because Mike Komisarek isn't good enough all-around to warrant consideration. Nor is he better defensively than any of the guys that have won the Norris trophy of late. I might give him Rob Blake, but that Norris should have gone to Lidstrom anyway.

[capsfan25 0]

Congratulations Greener!!!!!

As far as defense coming first regardless of a player being a forward or a defensemen, why? Why is not allowing a goal better than scoring a goal?

[b.shanafan14 733]

Great to see him get the record, I really like the Capitals top to bottom when they aren't playing the Wings. 8 game goal scoring streak is DISGUSTING. As far as the Norris, its really hard to tell. The guy really racks up the points and goals, but defensively he isn't even near the top in the league, and some would argue he is much closer to the bottom. All of the other Norris hopefuls for this year have a combination of offensive ability and defensive prowess. Its really hard to tell. I know if Green was on the Wings I would in one breath marvel at his offensive ability and in the next probably cuss about a giveaway ending up in our net (not unlike Niklas Kronwall this season).

[Mors 201]

May I ask what games have YOU been watching? Mike Green is NOT badl in his own zone, in fact he has improved considerably this season! Norris is for best "all around" Dman.....Green has been that guy.

Wasn't this already cleared up earlier in the thread? Leading the league in giveaways for ALL defensemen, 3rd overall in giveaways by ALL players. I think that pretty much answers your question.

[adamic 0]

He's not that great at defense. There are at least 20 players better at preventing the other teams top line from scoring. He is just scoring. That is all.

[CAredwingsfan91 28]

I'm so sick of hearing about this guy, I'll give him credit for what hes accomplished but seriously hes got a lot more to learn about being a great norris trophy winning defenseman.

[Coolio Mendez 7]

Wasn't this already cleared up earlier in the thread? Leading the league in giveaways for ALL defensemen, 3rd overall in giveaways by ALL players. I think that pretty much answers your question.

Read page 4 I've answered this already.......

[Drake_Marcus 890]

I'm not comparing careers, I'm talking 08-09 season. This year, Wideman and Chara have BOTH been better than Lidstrom. I'd also have Boyle ahead of Lidstrom.

Amongst defencemen-

-Lidstrom is tied for 9th in goals

- tied for 7th in assists

- tied for 6th in +/-

Yet you think he is a possible frontrunner? At this pace, he will be lucky to finish in the top 5 in voting!

He is because he's still the best defenseman in the NHL. That's according to the responses of his peers in a survey mid way through this season.

Lidstrom had a horrible first third of the season, the next third was mostly the Nick we've come to expect. So far he looks to be 90% of the way back to form. Wait until the end of the season- Nick will be back near his level of production by the time 82 games have passed.

We've all seen Nick have slow staring seasons before. His facial injury at the start of the season and the accompanying addition of a visor, combined with switching to new skates, gloves and stick didn't help him get back in the grove. I'm still not sure he should've chosen this season to switch away from all Easton gear. Too much change is never a good thing for a hockey player.

[CopenhagenWing 38]

Norris candidates typically are their respective teams' 1st options in all aspects of the game. While Mike Green logs a ton of PP time, his PK time suggests that he's 3rd or 4th on that depth chart.

He's young. He'll improve.