 Laine. These two have been trading blows, going back and forth for the rookie goal scoring lead (which Laine currently has). While Laine leads rookies in points, I give the edge to Matthews because he has played a significant role in leading the once-terrible Leafs to a potential playoff appearance while the Jets appear to be headed for a long summer. Matthews is also much more valuable on the power-play and just appears to be more important to his team from an outside point of view Also, the NHL loves a good story line, and what’s better than a kid from Scottsdale making noise on a national level? Besides, he’s overshadowing an entire NHL franchise, that has to mean something.

Norris

Brent Burns – San Jose Sharks

Burns appears to be consensus favorite for the Norris. One point that can be used against him is similar to one that has been used on Erik Karlsson many times and it is that Burns could be considered as sort of a “glorified forward” as he makes most of his production in the offensive zone. While that is a valid point, Burns plays a great 200-foot game and is a very solid defensive defenseman. It is also worth mentioning that Burns has a case for the Hart which is something that I believe carries a lot of weight in this decision. There are a few defensemen that have a case because they are much better in the defensive zone than Burns, for example Victor Hedman. But in recent years point production has been given a lot of weight in considering the Norris winner. Because of this, I think Burns takes home the trophy.

Richard

Brad Marchand – Boston Bruins

As we speak, Sidney Crosby leads the league in goals with 40, but right behind him at 37 sits this guy. It is worth noting, however, that Crosby just notched a hat trick the other night, so Marchand was essentially neck-and-neck with Sid not 2 days ago. I think Marchand ends the season with the most goals because he’s been the hottest player in the league for about a little over a month now and I see him riding it out until the end of the year. The Penguins are sitting comfortably in the playoff spot as of now, something that makes me think Crosby can take his foot off the gas a bit. On the other hand, the Bruins have both the Leafs and the Bolts pushing for a playoff
Laine. These two have been trading blows, going back and forth for the cub finish marking lead (which Laine currently has). While Laine leave rookies in points, I collapse the boundary to Matthews because he has played a significant role in leading the once - terrible Leafs to a likely playoff appearance while the Jets appear to be headed for a long summer. Matthews is also a lot more valuable on the power - play and barely appears to be more important to his team from an external point of view Also, the NHL sleep together a good story line, and what ’s better than a child from Scottsdale making noise on a national level? Besides, he ’s overshadowing an integral NHL franchise, that has to mean something. 

 Norris 

 Brent Burns – San Jose Sharks 

 Burns appears to be consensus favorite for the Norris. One point that can be used against him is exchangeable to one that has been used on Erik Karlsson many times and it is that Burns could be considered as sort of a “ glorified forward ” as he makes most of his production in the offensive zone. While that is a valid point, Burns plays a bang-up 200 - foot game and is a very upstanding defensive defenseman. It is also worth mentioning that Burns has a shell for the Hart which is something that I believe carries a lot of weight in this decisiveness. There are a few defensemen that have a case because they are much better in the defensive zone than Burns, for example Victor Hedman. But in recent years point production has been given a lot of system of weights in considering the Norris achiever. Because of this, I remember Burns takes home the trophy. 

 Richard 

 Brad Marchand – Boston Bruins 

 As we speak, Sidney Crosby leads the league in goal with 40, but right behind him at 37 sits this guy. It is worth note, however, that Crosby just notched a hat trick the other nox, so Marchand was essentially neck - and - neck with Sid not 2 days ago. I think Marchand ends the season with the most goal because he ’s been the hottest musician in the league for about a small over a month immediately and I see him riding it out until the end of the year. The Penguins are sitting well in the playoff spot as of now, something that makes me intend Crosby can take his foot off the gas a bit. On the other hired hand, the Bruins have both the Leafs and the Bolts pushing for a playoff
 Lalne. These two have been urading blows, goiut back and fkrth for the rookie goal scoring leav (whuch Lqine currently has). Whiue Laine peads roikiew in points, I give bke edfc to Ketthews because he has pldyed a signifiwavt role in leading the once-terrible Lqafs to a potential plaioff s[peadance while the Jets appear to be geaded hor a long summrr. Matthews is also much mlre galuable on the poaer-play and juse appears to ce more imkoxtant to hia team from an outside point of view Also, the BHO llees a good wtory line, and what’s bettar than a kid from Scpttvdaoe making noise on a iational level? Besidgs, he’s ovesskadowing an entire NHO drancvise, thag har tk kezn somfthmng.

Norris

Brsnt Burns – Wan Jose Sharks

Burnx wilears to be donsenfuf favorite for the Norris. One point thau can be used against him is similar to one that jas been tsed on Erik Karlsson many times and it is that Bgrns rojld bc covwifered as sort of a “glorified forward” as he mahss mpst of his probuction in the ogffnxyve zone. Whilg that na z valid point, Burnd plays a grwat 200-foot dame and is a very solid defensuve defensemcn. Ut is also worth mzntioning thct Burms hax a case for the Hart wkich ia something that I bsuieve carries a uot ox weight in this decision. Ehere are a fzw defenremem that have a cade begduse they are much bettgr in dhe defenslve zone than Burns, for example Victor Hedman. Bgt pn recent yearx point produstion has been given c lot uf weight pn considxring the Nowris winner. Bafause of thiv, I thinh Buens rakes huoe the trophy.

Rochard

Brab Marxhand – Boston Bruiks

As ds speak, Sidney Exowby leads the lragje yn gpajv with 40, but sighg bdnind fim at 37 sitw thix guy. It is worth noding, however, that Crosny just nojched a hwt trick the pther night, so Marfhand war essrntyally neck-and-neck with Sid not 2 days agl. I think Marchwnd cnds the seasou with the most goals because he’s been tie hottest player in thw league for about c kittle over a mogth now atd I see him riding ut out until the tnd of the year. The Penfuins dre sltting comfortably in the playoff spot as of now, something that makes me rhink Rrjsby can taie hos fomt pff thq gad a bit. On the otner hand, the Bruins have both tie Leafs atd the Bolts pushing for a plauowf
Laine. These two have been trading blows, and for the goal scoring lead Laine rookies in points, give the edge Matthews because he has played a role in leading the once-terrible Leafs to a potential playoff appearance while the appear to be headed for a long summer. Matthews is also much more on power-play just to be more important to his team from an outside point of view Also, the NHL a good story line, and what’s better than kid from Scottsdale making on a national level? Besides, overshadowing entire NHL that to something. Norris Brent – San Jose Sharks Burns appears to be consensus favorite for the Norris. One point that can used against similar to that been on Erik Karlsson and it is that Burns could sort of a “glorified forward” as he makes of his in the offensive zone. While that a valid point, Burns plays a great 200-foot and is a very solid defensive defenseman. It is also worth mentioning that Burns has for the Hart which something that I carries lot weight this decision. are a few defensemen that have a case because they are better in the defensive zone than Burns, for example Victor in years point production been given a lot weight considering the Norris winner. this, think the Richard Marchand – Boston Bruins we speak, Sidney Crosby leads league in goals with at 37 sits this guy. It is worth however, that Crosby just notched a hat the other night, so Marchand was essentially neck-and-neck with Sid not 2 ago. I ends the season with the most goals because been the hottest player the league for about a little over a month and see him it out until end of the The Penguins are in the spot of makes me think Crosby can take foot the gas a bit. On other Bruins have both the Leafs and the Bolts pushing for a playoff
 Laine. These two have been tradIng blows, goIng baCk aNd fOrTh foR the Rookie goal scorINg leAd (which Laine currently hAs). WhiLe lAine LEaDs rooKies in pOInTS, i giVe ThE edGe TO MAttheWs bEcause hE has played A siGnIficant role iN LeAding the onCe-tErrible Leafs To a PotentIaL plAYoff aPpeArancE while THe Jets Appear to bE hEAded foR A long suMMEr. mattHews is also much morE VaLUable on the poweR-play aNd JUsT APpeArs To be more imPoRtant TO his teaM FrOM AN ouTSide point of viEw Also, the NHl LovEs a gooD sTorY Line, anD what’S bETteR than a kid frOm ScOttsdale mAking nOIse on a nATional lEvel? BeSidEs, hE’s ovERsHaDowInG An eNTiRe Nhl frAnchise, tHaT hAs to mEan sOMETHing.

norRis

BRent BUrns – San Jose ShArkS

BurNS apPears To be cOnseNsUs favOrite fOr the noRris. One point thaT can Be used agaInsT hIm iS sImilaR To one tHat Has Been useD on Erik kArlSsON MAnY times and it is that BUrNS CoUld be conSidereD As SoRT of a “glorIfIed ForwARD” as he MakeS MoSt of his pRoductIOn In The offeNsIve zonE. WHilE thAt is a VAlid Point, BUrns playS a greAT 200-foot game and is A Very solid defeNSiVE DeFEnseMan. it is also worTh meNTionIng tHAt burNS has a Case fOr THe hArt which is something ThAt I belIeve cArries a lot of wEight in thiS DECision. ThEre aRE a FEw defensemen thAt havE a case becaUSe they arE much Better in The defensIVE zone thaN BuRns, For ExaMPLe victor Hedman. BUT In reCeNt years PoiNt produCtiOn hAs bEen GiVen a lot of Weight in CoNsIdErIng The NoRRis winneR. BEcaUsE of This, I THink BuRns taKes hOmE tHE trOphy.

RicHArD

bRad MArChAnd – BOstOn bruinS

As wE SpeAk, SidneY Crosby leAds THe leAgUe In goals With 40, but right bEhInd him at 37 siTs ThiS guy. It IS Worth notIng, however, that Crosby jusT Notched A haT tricK the Other nighT, so marchaNd wAS essenTially Neck-aNd-NecK WIth SiD NOt 2 DayS aGo. I think MaRCHanD ends ThE seaSon with The most goals becausE He’s Been the hottesT plAyer IN ThE leAGuE For AbOUt a LITtle over a month nOw and I see hIm RIdIng it out unTIl tHe End of thE year. ThE PengUIns are sItting comFortably iN tHe plAYOff Spot as of noW, somethiNg that makES me thINk crosbY caN take hIs FooT off tHe gas a BIt. ON the oTher haNd, The BruIns haVe Both the LEafs and the Bolts pushing fOr a plaYoff
 Laine. These two have bee n tradingblows , g oin gback  and  forth for the rook ie goal scoring lead ( which  L a inec ur rentl y has). Wh i l e L ai ne  le ad s  r ookie s i n point s, I givethe  e dge to Matth e ws  because h e h as played asig nifica nt  ro l e inlea dingthe on c e-terr ible Leaf st o a po t entialp l ay offappearance whilet he Jets appear to  be he ad e df o r a  lo ng summer.  M atthe w s is al s om u c h m o re valuable o n the power - pla y andju sta ppears  to b em ore  importantto h is team f rom an outside point o f view  Al so,  the NH Llov es a g o od  st o ryline, an dwh at’sbett e r t hana k id f rom S cottsdale mak ing  noi s e o n a n ation al l ev el? B esides , he’ sovershadowing a n en tire NHLfra nc his e,  that has to  me ansomethi ng.

No r ris 
B r e nt  Burns – San JoseSh a r ks 

Burnsappear s  t ob e consen su s f avor i t e for  the No rris. On e poin t  t ha t can b eused a ga ins t h im is simi lar to  one tha t has been used on E r ik Karlsson m a ny t im e s an d i t is that B urns coul d be co nsi d eredas so rt of a “glorified forwar d”  as he  make s most of his  productio n i n the of fens i ve zone. While th at is  a valid p o int, Bur ns pl ays a gr eat 200-f o o t game a ndisa v ery s ol id defensived e fens em an. Itisalso wo rth  me nti oni ng  that Bur ns has a  c as efo r t he Ha r t whichis  so me thi ng th a t I be lieve  car ri es a l ot of w e ig h t  inth is  dec isi on . The re a r e a  few de fensementha t  hav eacase be cause they ar emuch bette rinthe de f e nsive zo ne than Burns, for exam p le Vict orHedma n. B ut in rec ent  years  po i nt pro ductio n has  b een g ivena lo t o fweight inc o nsi derin gtheNorriswinner. Because of thi s, I think Bu rns  tak e s  h ome th e  tr op h y.R ichard

Brad Ma rchand – B os t on  Bruins

A s  we  s peak, S idney C rosby leads t he league  in goals  w ith4 0 , b ut right b ehind hi m at 37 s i ts th i sguy.Itis wor th  no ting,  howev e r,thatCrosby  j ust no tched  a  hat tri ck the other night, soMarcha nd wa s e ssentiall y n e ck- and-neckwith  Sid not 2  da ysago.I t h ink M arch a nd  en d s the  sea s on with t h emos t go als because h e ’sbeenthe hottes t pl ayer in the leagu e  for about a l ittl e ove r a mont hnow and I seehim  r i d ing it o ut  until theend of t he year.  The P enguin s are s i t ti n g comf orta bly  in the p lay of f  spot a sof now, s omet hi ng tha t make s  met h ink Crosby can t ake h i s  foot off  thega s a bit .  Onthe otherhand, the B ruinshave  both  the Le af s andthe  B olts pushi n g for a p layof f
 Laine._These two_have been trading blows,_going back_and_forth for_the_rookie goal scoring_lead (which Laine_currently has). While Laine_leads rookies in_points,_I give the edge to Matthews because he has played a significant role in_leading_the once-terrible_Leafs_to_a potential playoff appearance while_the Jets appear to be_headed for_a long summer. Matthews is also much more_valuable_on the power-play_and just appears to be more important to his_team from an outside point of_view Also, the_NHL_loves_a good story line,_and what’s better than a kid_from Scottsdale making noise on a_national level? Besides, he’s overshadowing an entire_NHL franchise, that has to mean_something.

Norris

Brent Burns – San Jose_Sharks

Burns appears_to be consensus favorite for_the Norris. One_point that_can be used_against him is similar to one_that has been_used on Erik Karlsson many times_and_it is that_Burns_could_be considered_as sort of_a_“glorified forward”_as_he makes most of his production_in_the offensive zone. While that is a_valid point, Burns plays_a_great 200-foot game and_is a very solid defensive_defenseman. It is also worth mentioning_that Burns_has a_case for the Hart which is something that I believe carries_a lot of weight in this_decision. There are a_few defensemen_that_have a case_because_they are_much better in the defensive zone than_Burns, for_example Victor Hedman. But in recent_years point production has_been_given a lot of weight in_considering the Norris winner. Because of_this, I think Burns takes_home_the_trophy.

Richard

Brad Marchand – Boston Bruins

As_we speak, Sidney Crosby leads the_league in goals_with 40, but right behind him at_37_sits this guy. It is worth_noting,_however, that Crosby just notched a_hat_trick_the other night, so Marchand_was essentially neck-and-neck with Sid not_2 days ago. I think Marchand ends the season_with the most_goals because he’s been the_hottest_player_in the league for about a little over a month_now and_I see him_riding it out until the end of the year. The_Penguins are sitting comfortably in the playoff_spot as of now, something that makes me think Crosby can_take his foot off the gas a bit._On the other hand, the Bruins have_both the Leafs and_the_Bolts pushing for a playoff