Hockey players known for their reliable defensive skills are feeling overlooked, calling for the NHL to recognize their valuable contributions. The Athletic recently published an article discussing the evolving roles of defensemen in today's NHL, with several players advocating for a new award to acknowledge their talents.
Players like Marc-Édouard Vlasic and Mattias Ekholm expressed their frustration at the absence of an award specifically for defensive defensemen, especially when there's a comparable honor for defensive forwards.
The Norris Trophy, currently the only defenseman-exclusive award, traditionally recognized the best overall defenseman. However, players argue that it now tends to favor those with high offensive stats, like Cale Makar, without necessarily excelling defensively. Erik Karlsson's win last season with a focus on points over defensive prowess highlighted this shift.
Barry Trotz, the Predators general manager, suggested the need for potentially two awards—one for offensive contributions and another for solid defensive play. He used Karlsson as an example, emphasizing the modern trend of offensive defensemen.
The push for a new award celebrating outstanding defensive contributions from defensemen is gaining momentum, with voices across the league supporting the idea. It seems increasingly likely that the NHL will consider introducing an award specifically recognizing the defensive excellence of these players, similar to the recognition given to defensive forwards.
