If there were a Chuck Norris Trophy for the NHL's most rugged defenceman, Bryan McCabe certainly would earn consideration for his take-no-prisoners style of play. But it's his all-around game this season that has teammate Mats Sundin lobbying for McCabe to be a frontrunner for the James Norris Trophy, the award that goes to the league's top blue liner.
"If I could vote for a Norris Trophy winner, I'd vote for Bryan for sure," Sundin said yesterday. "Why not?
"Since he's been here he's really been a horse for us and has been our most consistent and best defenceman. But this year he's been at another level, not only his play on the ice but his off-ice dedication to the game, his work ethic both on and off the ice and his leadership.
"It's been very important to our team."
McCabe, who continues to work his way toward a spot on the Canadian World Cup team, has the statistics to back up Sundin's praise.
Entering play yesterday, no defenceman in the league had more goals (15) than McCabe and only one -- the Boston Bruins' Sergei Gonchar -- had more points.
Those numbers are poised to keep rising, especially since McCabe now is partnered with future Hall of Famer Brian Leetch.
McCabe is quick to shy away from any Norris Trophy discussions, preferring to let his play on ths ice do the talking.
"I'm just doing my best to help the team," McCabe said. "I don't want to get in to that other stuff."
The battle for the Norris Trophy should be a dogfight.
Zdeno Chara and Scott Niedermayer have enjoyed fine seasons but Chris Pronger, Rob Blake, Wade Redden, Mathieu Schneider, Nick Lidstrom, Gonchar, the injured Sheldon Souray and the surprising Marek Zidlicky should receive consideration as well.
It's not out of the question. McCabe has done great offensively, has been very solid in his own zone and has played very physical. He has played a very solid all around game leads all defensemen in goals is second in points only behind Gonchar and is a +12.
It would be nice, he's had a nice bounce back season. but I still think there are a few others who should get the nod over him, but he if builds on this year, he might be able to accomplish that feat within the next few seasons.
I also think that McCabe's shots at winning the Norris Trophy are a longshot at best. He is a good defensemen who has certainly improved greatly since last year, but he still has issues defensively that will be the downfall of his shot at the Norris.
Well Chara's +/- is so high because the team has nearly 230 goals. I'd rather have him (McCabe) nominated than win it. Don't want it to go to his head.
Mccabe is terribly underrated and it is time for people to realize what a great player he is. Mccabe is leading the league in goals by a defencemen, and 2nd to I dont play defense Sergei Gonchar. Mccabe plays a great defensive game and is very physical. Everyone said that the leafs needed a premiere defensmen... Thats Mccabe isn't it? Now we have Brian Leetch, another Premiere defencemen.. Our D looks good.. Leetch plays the game both ways, Klee is great defensively, and still chips in with a significant amount of points. Kaberle is Offense first. Mccabe is like Leetch, can do everything.
He shouldn't be a long shot.. but i expect Mr. Pronger to win it..
With the the season Pronger is having he shouldn't win it..... although the guys voting will probably just pick somebody they've heard of before :roll:.
Anyway, Chara and McCabe (two solid potential winners) have more goals. They and Pavel Kubina are in a three way tie for most goals among defenseman with 15. Pronger is also a minus 2 on a solid team (granted they aren't playing well) where as Chara is what? Plus 35, and I'm sure McCabe is about +14. Pronger may also have more points, but he plays 28 minutes a game compared to Chara (24) and McCabe (25). That may not seem like much but those 3-4 minutes could be PP time in which the other two could really rack up the points. Over the corse of 68 games, those extra 3 minutes equals 204 more minuts played. You can't tell me both Chara and McCabe wouldn't put up equal/better number than Pronger if they recived as much ice time.
But on another note, Sergie Gonchar might win despite his bad +/-. He leads defensemen with points (51) and has 42 assists. He logs the same amount of ice time as Pronger (a matter of seconds) but has better numbers in 9 less games...... maybe Sergie should be the winner, if he can get even in +/- from his trade to Boston, my money is on him.
McCabe For The Norris?
McCabe For The Norris?
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