Ekholm and Bouchard Will Be Overlooked for the Norris Trophy, But They Shouldn't Be

Both of the Oilers' defensemen should be in consideration, but bigger names will get the rub...

With consideration likely going to Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks, Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche, Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Noah Dobson of the New York Islanders, and Roman Josi of the Nashville Predators both Evan Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm are likely to get snubbed by voters when it comes to the Norris Trophy this season.

The Norris is given out to the best defenseman in the NHL and history shows that it’s not just offensive prowess that gets the votes — at least not in Edmonton where Tyson Barrie once had the most regular season points and didn’t get a single vote. It’s also not an award where first-timers regularly get the rub.

The Norris is often given to the bigger stars who have won it before and on teams that don’t always have the best players in the world at another position. For Bouchard and Ekholm, they’ll be overshadowed by the brilliance of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

This isn’t to say that Makar doesn’t deserve to win or that Josi shouldn’t either. The hope is that voters simply don’t overlook the two Oilers’ defenders. They’ve played well enough to at least get a look.

Ekholm Has Been the Best Defenseman in the NHL Since the All-Star Break