Lightning Star Deserving of Norris Consideration
This Lightning defender deserves more consideration for the Norris Trophy.
The 2022-23 season was a down year for Tampa Bay Lightning star defenseman Victor Hedman. In 76 games, the 33-year-old posted nine goals to go along with 49 points. This was absolutely not bad production, but it was underwhelming for Hedman's standards, as he had 20 goals and 85 points just the season before.
As a result, Hedman entered the 2023-24 season as a clear bounce-back candidate for the Bolts. It's safe to say that he's done just that. The veteran defender has been magnificent for the Lightning all season, recording 12 goals, 71 points, and a plus-18 rating in 70 games. The 2009 second-overall pick has simply been dominant.
Hedman is fifth among NHL defensemen with 71 points. Quinn Hughes, Cale Makar, Roman Josi, and Evan Bouchard are ahead of him and have been generating more buzz for the Norris Trophy because of it. Yet, when noting that Hedman is also producing at over a point-per-game pace and is playing immensely steady defensively along with it, he warrants more consideration for the Norris Trophy.
Without Hedman running the Lightning's blue line, the club would be in nowhere as good of a spot as they are in the standings. Along with that, he's been a big reason for the Lightning's surge during the final portion of the season, posting 17 points over his last 14 games.
Nevertheless, it is clear that Hedman has had an excellent season. He is easily among the NHL's best defenders this campaign and warrants more league-wide praise because of it.
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