Nik Lidstrom is chasing his sixth Norris Trophy. (File photo)
Whoever tears open the envelope to announce the best defenseman at this summer's NHL Awards could be forgiven if he lets slip "and the winner of the Nicklas Lidstrom Trophy is...."
On second thought, why not just rename the damn thing right now?
Lidstrom spends so much time with that fancy piece of hardware bearing James Norris' name, he may want to give some thought to renting it out.
In the six seasons since 2001 — remember, we missed a year because the owners and players wouldn't play nice — Lidstrom has sauntered up to the podium as the NHL's top defenseman every summer but one. Five Norris trophies in six years.
And don't look now, but unless something drastic happens — such as immediate deportation of all Swedes playing in the NHL — he is about to make it a clean half-dozen.
A few days back, some of you probably thought I was ready for the straightjacket when I left Lidstrom off my Hart Trophy race rankings. In the six games that Lidstrom sat out with a recent knee injury, the Red Wings — who are the best team in the league I might add — lost four of them.
His omission from that Hart list does not sell short his importance to the Flying Wheel as much as putting an exclamation point on the talent level he is surrounded with in Motown.
Currently he leads NHL defensemen in points, plus/minus (+39) and assists (52) while sitting fourth in average ice time per game.
Yeah, that Lidstrom guy is pretty good.
Lidstrom will get his rightful consideration for the Hart but won't win the league MVP simply because the Red Wings are just too bloody good.
Hell, send the Norris engraver to his house now, just to get a head start on his work. That race is over.
With just a few weeks to go in the regular season, your playoff draft is just around the corner. Time for a look at the best of the best when it comes to blueliners who will be racking up fantasy points this post-season:
1. NIK LIDSTROM, Detroit
Need further explanation after reading the above? If so, you may want to get rid of some of that Red Wing hatred. Or brush up on your reading skills.
2. SERGEI GONCHAR, Pittsburgh
No one is suggesting Gonchar be considered for the Norris, but this guy can put up the points with the best of ‘em. With the Penguins looking more and more like a legitimate contender in the East, Gonchar may have a few rounds to roll up the goals and assists. With Crosby, Malkin and a healthy Hossa expected to join Gonchar on the power play, teams may want to avoid taking penalties against the Penguins.
3. BRIAN CAMPBELL, San Jose
It didn't take long for Campbell to find his touch out West, with seven points in his first eight games. With Campbell and Joe Thornton setting the table, Jonathan Cheechoo should donate part of his salary to the duo. Cheechoo just hit paydirt. Oh, and did we mention Campbell scored one of the prettiest goals of the season in the Shark Tank?
4. ANDREI MARKOV, Montreal
Markov is enjoying a career season as the Canadiens continue to surprise most of the NHL. With an Eastern conference top seed not out of the question, the Canadiens could also enjoy a lengthy playoff sprint this spring. Markov will be an integral part of any plans the Canadiens have once the second week of April rolls around.
5. DION PHANEUF, Calgary
While I was tempted to put Markov's teammate Mark Streit in this slot, I just don't like the Habs that much. No, really, Phaneuf may have a Norris to add to his trophy case in the future, but he will have to wait until Lidstrom retires. Until then, Phaneuf will have to be satisfied knocking players into another time zone while leaving his mark on the scoresheet.