Saturday, October 9, 2010

An Apology to Duncan Keith

Dear Mr. Keith,

A few months ago, I wrote this:
Norris Trophy

The James Norris Memorial Trophy is an annual award given to the defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position. The winner is selected in a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association at the end of the regular season.


The candidates: Drew Doughty, Mike Green, Duncan Keith
NHL.com bios

The favorite: Keith
Who should win: Green

The more I look at advanced stats on behindthenet.ca, though, the more I realize I was completely wrong with that.

You, sir, were an absolute stud on defense. I had already outlined your PK prowess, but I hadn't realized how good you were at 5-on-5 too, despite having one the worst goaltending tandems in the league behind you. With relatively more difficult zonestarts, strong competition, and weak teammates, you still were middling in zonefinish, while not taking a ton of penalties, having a break-even plus-minus per 60, and getting a positive relative corsi. You didn't even have a ridiculously high PDO to inflate your numbers. Keep up the good work (except against the Capitals!). I'm sorry for having doubted you.

As for you, Mike Green, sorry, but you need to be much better. I understand part of it is the situations in which the coach uses you, and other factors out of your control, but just be better given your favorable circumstances and maybe you, too, can win the Norris Trophy (especially since you were robbed in 2009).

Sincerely,
R.A.L.

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