Let's face facts, Nicklas Lidstrom is going to win his sixth Norris Trophy and it's not going to be close. There is no other defenseman in the league that can completely control the game at both ends of the ice like Lidstrom does.Yesterday, the NHL released the top three finalists (as if there is a further competition) for the Norris Trophy: Nicklas Lidstrom, Zdeno Chara, and Dion Phaneuf.
Chara and Phaneuf shouldn't even bother having acceptance speeches prepared, since they won't be winning. Nothing has changed since the mid-point of the season, when Lidstrom was also the clear front-runner.
There are very guarantees in life: Death, taxes, war, corrupt government, Lindsay Lohan getting drunk, and Nicklas Lidstrom winning the Norris Trophy.
Yes, one of the few safe wagers one could make is for Saint Nicklas to win the Norris Trophy as the league's top defenseman, again (and again). As winner of five of the past six Norris awards, the league's other top d-men pretty much have to settle for bridesmaid honors.
Lidstrom lead all d-men with 60 assists, 70 points, and a +40, despite missing a half-dozen games to injury. You'd have to be on some strong drugs, or a complete homer, not to consider Lidstrom the best of the best.
Before some of you start whining (again) about how the Norris trophy is simply for offensive output, consider the fact that the defensemen that finished 2nd (Gonchar), 3rd (Streit), and 4th (Campbell), weren't among the top 3 vote getters. Chara finished 10th in points and Phaneuf was 5th. Obviously, it takes more than just some pretty offensive numbers to win the Norris.
