toby91_ca 620 Report post Posted February 28, 2011 So, awhile back, this was a name that had to be in the discussion when talking about Norris (as I and perhaps many others here look into now and then as a reference to Lidstrom). Letang was up there in scoring top 2 among defensemen and I think his +/- was blowing every other top 10 scoring dman out of the water. I never thought he had any chance of winning, but with those stats, he had to be in the discussion and it was Lidstrom's +/- that was a bit of a question for him. Fast forward a couple months, Letang is still hanging around a bit in terms of scoring (he's dropping though) and his +/- is still far better than the rest, but it's dropping fast. I still think Letang is a pretty good defenseman, but has he been a bit exposed since Crosby went down? Was he riding Crosby's coattails a bit? Again, still pretty good, but if I'm a voter, he's no longer in my consideration for top 3 votes. This is why stats can be a bit deceiving sometimes. Letang has 46 pts compared to Lidstrom's 49 and is a +13 compared to Lidstrom's -1, but Lidstrom is way ahead on my voting list at this point, simply because it doesn't look like Letang is entirely legit without Crosby. Stats before Crosby went down: 41GP, 36PTS, +23 Stats after Crosby went down: 23GP, 10PT, -10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HankthaTank 1,100 Report post Posted February 28, 2011 All that being on the shootouts thing is going to his head But to be serious here it's clear that they are related. Big Buff's production has been down too while Nick has continued his stellar season. It is Nick's to lose. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edicius 3,269 Report post Posted February 28, 2011 (edited) Wrong thread. Edited February 28, 2011 by edicius Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted February 28, 2011 All that being on the shootouts thing is going to his head But to be serious here it's clear that they are related. Big Buff's production has been down too while Nick has continued his stellar season. It is Nick's to lose. Buff's production dried up when Enstrom (his partner) was injured. Coincidence? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted February 28, 2011 To listen to Pens fans Letang is the greatest defenseman to ever play the game. Yes, I actually did see this posted in several places a few months ago. And posted a lot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted February 28, 2011 In Letang's defense, they're also without Malkin and Orpik for an extended period of time. Anyone's stats are going to suffer when three of the keystone players are missing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doc Holliday 1,888 Report post Posted February 28, 2011 Most defensemen are not going to do as well without 70% of their offense, or somesuch. Letang is still a top 3 Norris candidate, but that is more of a testament to how weak the Norris race is this year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xtrememachine1 795 Report post Posted February 28, 2011 To listen to Pens fans Letang is the greatest defenseman to ever play the game. Yes, I actually did see this posted in several places a few months ago. And posted a lot. That sounds about right. I heard a conversation between a couple guys in November with one saying, "He's kinda like Paul Coffey, except better because he can shoot." Yeah, Coffey wasn't a good shooter Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted February 28, 2011 (edited) Last year, Lidstrom's stats sucked when we had so many injuries. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Letang wins it over Lidstrom, although I'd still give it to Nick. Yes, I'm biased. Edited February 28, 2011 by GMRwings1983 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Crymson Report post Posted February 28, 2011 In Letang's defense, they're also without Malkin and Orpik for an extended period of time. Anyone's stats are going to suffer when three of the keystone players are missing. Orpik hasn't been out long. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted February 28, 2011 Orpik hasn't been out long. Even if you ignore Orpik entirely, my point is still quite valid. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heroes of Hockeytown 694 Report post Posted February 28, 2011 I can sympathize. He's used to having his breakout passes hit the sticks of the best players in the NHL, and now they're going to no-talent nobodies. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SiLkK19 67 Report post Posted February 28, 2011 (edited) That sounds about right. I heard a conversation between a couple guys in November with one saying, "He's kinda like Paul Coffey, except better because he can shoot." Yeah, Coffey wasn't a good shooter Letang can shoot??? I saw him miss an empty net like 10 times in a row at the skills competition. Edited February 28, 2011 by SiLkK19 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingslogo19 281 Report post Posted February 28, 2011 Letang is a good Dman, not excellent but good.. He should be on Team Canada come 2014 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Shoreline Report post Posted February 28, 2011 So, awhile back, this was a name that had to be in the discussion when talking about Norris (as I and perhaps many others here look into now and then as a reference to Lidstrom). Letang was up there in scoring top 2 among defensemen and I think his +/- was blowing every other top 10 scoring dman out of the water. I never thought he had any chance of winning, but with those stats, he had to be in the discussion and it was Lidstrom's +/- that was a bit of a question for him. Fast forward a couple months, Letang is still hanging around a bit in terms of scoring (he's dropping though) and his +/- is still far better than the rest, but it's dropping fast. I still think Letang is a pretty good defenseman, but has he been a bit exposed since Crosby went down? Was he riding Crosby's coattails a bit? Again, still pretty good, but if I'm a voter, he's no longer in my consideration for top 3 votes. This is why stats can be a bit deceiving sometimes. Letang has 46 pts compared to Lidstrom's 49 and is a +13 compared to Lidstrom's -1, but Lidstrom is way ahead on my voting list at this point, simply because it doesn't look like Letang is entirely legit without Crosby. Stats before Crosby went down: 41GP, 36PTS, +23 Stats after Crosby went down: 23GP, 10PT, -10 With Crosby the team had been: 27-13-3 Without Crosby the team has been: 10-8-3 Certainly his absence affects the whole team, then with Malkin out, gets even worse. I'm actually surprised they're still hanging onto their conference spot and hitting .500. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LeftWinger 5,153 Report post Posted March 1, 2011 To listen to Pens fans Letang is the greatest defenseman to ever play the game. Yes, I actually did see this posted in several places a few months ago. And posted a lot. did you expect any less from a pens fan? I guess they forgot about a couple of defenders name Coffey and Murphy that won two Cups with the pens, they weren't too shabby in their days in Crapsburgh. Oh wait, we ARE talking about fans that don't even know what hockey is until the Steelers are done playing...PA.THE.TIC.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carman 387 Report post Posted March 1, 2011 did you expect any less from a pens fan? I guess they forgot about a couple of defenders name Coffey and Murphy that won two Cups with the pens, they weren't too shabby in their days in Crapsburgh. Oh wait, we ARE talking about fans that don't even know what hockey is until the Steelers are done playing...PA.THE.TIC.... On topic, Letang has really developed a lot this year. He's a very good skater, and great passer. Defensively he's not strong by any means, but he's not a Mike Green either. That said I wouldn't nominate him for a Norris, he's not that much better offensively, at least not yet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LeftWinger 5,153 Report post Posted March 1, 2011 On topic, Letang has really developed a lot this year. He's a very good skater, and great passer. Defensively he's not strong by any means, but he's not a Mike Green either. That said I wouldn't nominate him for a Norris, he's not that much better offensively, at least not yet. Didn't get off topic, a user said what he/she read the pens fans thought of Letang (which IS THE TOPIC, or can't you read) I simply responded to the ON TOPIC post by another user. You can roll your eyes into the back of your head for all I care, just because users don't share your same view of the pens, doesn't mean squat on this forum. replying to your post, I agree, he is not Norris worthy, I also agree with the OP, most of the pens were riding the coattails of Crosby, especially Letang, numbers don't lie, so I've been told... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carman 387 Report post Posted March 1, 2011 Didn't get off topic, a user said what he/she read the pens fans thought of Letang (which IS THE TOPIC, or can't you read) I simply responded to the ON TOPIC post by another user. You can roll your eyes into the back of your head for all I care, just because users don't share your same view of the pens, doesn't mean squat on this forum. replying to your post, I agree, he is not Norris worthy, I also agree with the OP, most of the pens were riding the coattails of Crosby, especially Letang, numbers don't lie, so I've been told... I was more referring to keeping my post on topic, and not just dwelling on your valuable "contribution". I'm just astounded at how you came to the conclusion of the whole of Pittsburgh hockey fans. I'd like to think that the caliber of posters here are higher; alas, I may be wrong. I can understand not liking Pittsburgh, but I feel could still defend things that I feel are just rhetoric with no real backing(IE, your vast generalizations of Pittsburgh fans that just embarrasses me to know that everyone on the internet could read this and generalize us as well). Darn, I said I wouldn't dwell on it. Oh well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eva unit zero 271 Report post Posted March 1, 2011 The thing is, and this applies to Byfuglien as well, his scoring numbers are what has put him in the Norris race. So if they drop off a bit, it's natural toput him on the back burner. To argue "Letang doesn't have so-and-so" as a reason to why he should still be in the Norris race is foolish; he wouldn't have ever been mentioned had it not been for Crosby's hot start. Not once. Just as how Byfuglien has gotten lots of attention but Enstrom is the best defenseman on that team at BOTH ends of the ice. Lidstrom, Enstrom, and Weber would be my top three right now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crashnburnluder 385 Report post Posted March 1, 2011 The thing is, and this applies to Byfuglien as well, his scoring numbers are what has put him in the Norris race. So if they drop off a bit, it's natural toput him on the back burner. To argue "Letang doesn't have so-and-so" as a reason to why he should still be in the Norris race is foolish; he wouldn't have ever been mentioned had it not been for Crosby's hot start. Not once. Just as how Byfuglien has gotten lots of attention but Enstrom is the best defenseman on that team at BOTH ends of the ice. Lidstrom, Enstrom, and Weber would be my top three right now. Agree with you completely... Thinks like how they play with out the other stars make a big impact. I believe that was one of the main impacts of Sedin winnin the Hart last season... Everyone talked about how well he carried the team and played when his twin brother was out on injury... The intangibles really can make a difference... The only other one that I might include in the race is Yandle... The guy is having a big year... not a great plus minus... but either does Lids... Leads D in points... I def. think he will get a nomination... crash Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
