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Toronto Maple Leafs: Morgan Rielly and Other Norris Candidates

By James Tanner

TORONTO,ON - DECEMBER 6: Morgan Rielly #44 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates with the puck against the Detroit Red Wings during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on December 6, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Red Wings defeated the Maple Leafs 5-4 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO,ON - DECEMBER 6: Morgan Rielly #44 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates with the puck against the Detroit Red Wings during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on December 6, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Red Wings defeated the Maple Leafs 5-4 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – FEBRUARY 21: Erik Karlsson #65 of the San Jose Sharks skates against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on February 21, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – FEBRUARY 21: Erik Karlsson #65 of the San Jose Sharks skates against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on February 21, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Erik Karlsson

Full disclosure: There is no chance that Erik Karlsson wins his third (or what should probably be his seventh) Norris Trophy this year.

If he did, he’d deserve it.  He is – full stop- the best defenseman in the NHL.  As the kids say “it’s not even close.”  Erik Karlsson is probably the only player you could legitimately argue is on the level of Connor McDavid – that’s how good he is.

Unfortunately he is hurt, has only played in 52 games and won’t likely be back until near the playoffs.

Karlsson almost has a 60% percent possession rating, which is even higher relative to his team than Burns’ (obviously).

His 45 points in 52 games might not seem as good as Burns’ but they’re even better. Karlsson’s on-ice shooting percentage is a full percentage point lower than Burns’ and his on-ice save percentage is just about 89%.

If pucks went in when he was on the ice like they should, and if his goalie played even half way competently, he would have more points than Burns does.

You can’t really say too much more other than he’s been a bit unlucky, otherwise he’d be leading the league in scoring again and adding a Norris to his Trophy case along with his uncontested Best Hair award.

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