NEWARK, N.J. –The Professional Hockey Writers Association votes for the Norris Trophy (best NHL defenseman), plus six other awards including the Hart Trophy (league MVP).
A defenseman hasn’t won the Hart in 22 years. Chris Pronger won both the Hart and Norris in 2000.
Note to PHWA voters: In 54 games, Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar already has seven more goals and three more points than Pronger amassed in 79 games during the 1999-2000 season.
Makar’s Norris candidacy is on steroids and his Hart chances are very real. They might have been softened by his recent 14-game goals drought but that stretch coincided with his club-record 11-game assist streak that now stands at 13 — fifth-longest among defensemen in league history.