The SBP Archives - Your less than frequent dose of SBP!

I'm really getting sick of all the praise the Habs' Sheldon Souray has gotten lately. He was voted to the all-star team by the fans, and I've read an Eklund report where he says if he could hand out the Norris trophy now (the award for top defenseman in the NHL) he'd give it to Souray. No one is having a better year than he is, apparently.

Despite the fact that nearly every self-respecting hockey journalist would take Chris Pronger over Souray in a heartbeat for the award, one of the traits a defenseman should have is the ability to PLAY DEFENSE!

Some people are just plain lazy and look at nothing but point production when deciding who's the best blueliner in the league. I'll give Souray this: he does have tremendous offensive upside. He has a killer shot from the point and is crucial on the powerplay. But when it comes down to shutting down the opposition, forget it.

This guys is currently a -8 in his stats. How can you say this guy is the top defenseman, when that stat shows he's on the ice more times when a goal is scored against that when his team scores a goal, in standard 5 on 5 play?

Scott Stevens was a bruising checker and captain of the New Jersey Devils, winning multiple Stanley Cups. He never won a Norris trophy, because he didn't score goals. So what? Not one player looked forward to going up against him; just against Eric Lindros' neurologist.

Point production from your blueline is a good thing. But for those responsible for handing out the awards, keep in mind it isn't the only thing.