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Kings Drew Doughty Named Top Three Finalist For NHL’s Norris Trophy

By Eric Fleischmann

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Earlier this afternoon the NHL announced the three finalists for the James Norris Trophy.  Los Angeles Kings defensemen Drew Doughty is one of them.

The Norris Trophy is an annual award presented to the NHL’s “defensemen who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position.”

Doughty is up against two former Norris Trophy winners from the East:  Ottawa Senators Erik Karlsson, and Montreal Canadiens P.K. Subban.

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Karlsson won the award in 2012, when he was 21-years-old.  Subban won the Norris the following year at the ripe old age of 23.

Doughty, who is currently 25-years of age, was a force for the Kings on defense.  Doughty finished 1st among Kings defensemen in points, and 5th for all Kings players.  Doughty played in all 82 games this season, churning up the ice-time and finishing 2nd in the NHL in Time On the Ice Per Game (TOI/GP) with 28:59 per night.

Minnesota Wild defensemen Ryan Suter beat Doughty out in the last week of the season.  Suter finished with 4-seconds more, on average: 29:03 TOI/GP.  Karlsson was 3rd with 27:15, while Subban was 6th with 26:12.

Doughty put up 7 goals, 39 assists, 46 points, +3 plus/minus, 1 power-play goal and 2 game-winning goals this season.  Doughty’s 46 points is the second most in the young defensemen’s seven-year NHL career.  The most Doughty has ever put up is 59 points from the 2009-2010 season.

Apr 2, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (8) keeps Edmonton Oilers right wing Andrew Miller (58) down on the ice during the first period of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

In his sixth year with the Canadiens Subban finished 3rd on his team in points.  In 82 games Subban registered 15 goals, 45 assists, 60 points, +21 plus/minus, 8 power-play goals, and 5 game-winners.

Karlsson, also in his sixth season, skated as the Senators captain for the first time this past season.  Karlsson put up 21 goals, 45 assists, 66 points, +7 rating, 6 power-play goals and 3 game-winning goals in 82 games.  Karlsson led the Senators in assists and points, while finishing 4th in goals and tied for 1st in power-play goals.

Both Subban and Karlsson are well-known for their offensive prowess.  Despite being tremendous defensemen, the two Eastern Conference blueliners are regarded as offensive defensemen.

Around the world players, coaches, scouts, fanatics and casual fans known Drew Doughty is one of the best defensemen in the world.  Doughty clearly has offensive skill, but is considered an all-around defensemen.

Unfortunately in a world of stats it difficult to show the value of a solid defender.  Point production is put ahead of dominating defense, defense that gets noticed and passed aside.

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    • As a result Doughty doesn’t have a Norris Trophy on his shelf . . . yet.  What Doughty does have, neither Karlsson or Subban possess – two Stanley Cup rings and two Olympic Gold Medals.

    This is the second time Drew “Dewy” Doughty is a top-three finalist for the Norris.  Doughty finished 3rd in voting for his performance during the 2009-2010 season.  That year the Norris went to Chicago Blackhawks Duncan Keith.

    It will be the second time around for both Karlsson and Subban as well.  Hopefully each player has two top-3 nominations and one Norris after it’s handed out in Las Vegas this year.

    Bring it home Dewy!

    Doughty isn’t the only King who has been nominated for an NHL award.  Fellow All-Star and teammate Anze Kopitar is up for the Selke and Lady Byng awards.

    Go Kings Go!

    The awards will be announced in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 24th.

    Vegas baby!

    Next: Dean Lombardi Needs A Lifetime Contract

    Apr 6, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (8) awaits the start of play against the Vancouver Canucks during the first period at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 2-1 in a shoot out. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

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