The season is winding down. Finalists are nearly in place for every award in the NHL. Is Shayne Gostisbehere going to be among those names?
Ghost has nearly surpassed every career high he has had up to this point this season. He has a career high in points, assists, time on ice, hits, and blocks. He is four goals away from a tying his career high in that category as well.
But does all that add up to taking home some hardware in the offseason?
Over the past six years, 5 different people have taken home the James Norris Trophy. Erik Karlsson did it twice, while P.K. Subban, Drew Doughty, Duncan Keith, and Brent Burns all took it home once. The average amount of points each scored, including the shortened lockout season of 2012-2013, was 60 points. TOI was 25:30, blocks stood at 90, takeaways were 41 and hits averaged out at 72.
Comparing those numbers to what Ghost has achieved thus far, he is above the Norris-winner average in assists and blocks. He is teetering right below average for goals, points, and hits. TOI, and takeaways, he is under by a fair amount.
So what does this all mean? If you’re going to base who wins the Norris every year by seeing who has the greatest stats, that defeats the purpose of the award. The NHL states that the Norris Trophy is, “Awarded annually to the top defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-around ability in the position.” That means that you need to be not just offensively sound, like Ghost, but you need to be stellar on defense as well.
Gostisbehere has shown that at times, he lapses on the defensive side of the puck. He pushes plays up the ice, which prevents him from getting back on defense if a breakaway ensues. He worries too much about scoring, and not enough about what his position on the ice entails. Yes, added offense is always welcome coming from the blueline. However, you need to be good at your job before assuming another role.
Ghost is hanging around the conversation for the Norris, and rightfully so. His numbers have been impressive, but there are a few other defensemen who have put up some impressive numbers this year, and seem to have assumed the position of “front runner” over the young Flyers blueliner.
John Klingberg of the Dallas Stars has had a phenomenal year for his club, notching 62 points and blocking 103 shots. His game has taken shape and he is considered a top 3 candidate for the Norris this year, and rightfully so.
Drew Doughty is no stranger to the Norris conversation, and he’s proving why this is true this year. Through 77 games, Doughty has 55 points, 116 shot blocks, and has amassed 123 hits. Doughty has been consistently one of the best defensemen in the league for quite some time, and seems to show no sign of letting up. However, there is one man outplaying them all this year, and he deserves all the recognition he gets.
Tampa Bay’s Victor Hedman has been absolutely stellar for the Bolts. He’s logged an average of just under 26 minutes a night, all the while amassing 124 hits, 102 blocked shots, all the while putting up 14 goals, 42 assists for 56 points. Hedman is presented with the tall task of leading a very talented Lightning defensive core, and he is leading by incredible example. This could be the year he finally adds his name to the NHL history books and takes home the Norris trophy.
But what about Shayne Gostisbehere? What about the offensive dynamo that is putting up career numbers in Philadelphia? Doesn’t he deserve to take home the Norris this year?
Well, yes and no.
Yes, Gostisbehere is having a phenomenal year, stat-wise. You can’t argue with his offensive numbers. However, the Norris Trophy isn’t for the defenseman who puts up the most points. Ghost’s defensive game isn’t on par with that of Klingberg, Doughty, or Hedman’s. He’s not leaps and bounds behind any of those three, but his game needs rounded out. Shayne needs to cut down on the simple mistakes. He needs to make sure not to get in too deep on the rush, therefore preventing him from getting back into position to help defend the play. Overall, his game just needs refined a bit, and he should be on pace for a Norris trophy in the very near future.
This may not be Ghost’s year. Many will be sad to hear, but he’s young, and he has an immense amount of talent. This won’t be the last time his name is thrown around when talking about the Norris trophy. If he continues to wow everyone with his offensive skillset, and refine his game on the defensive side of the puck, the Flyers may finally have their first Norris-winning defenseman in franchise history.
Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
