NHL Awards or Popularity Contest? Evan Bouchard’s Season Demands Attention
The NHL regular season may be the most competitive we’ve seen in years, with the playoff race heating up across the league. That intensity has helped boost viewership and generate new traction for the sport. While the excitement on the ice is growing, one issue continues to be swept under the rug: the NHL’s end-of-season awards. Most people believe that it’s starting to feel more like a popularity contest than a true recognition of performance. Like many professional leagues, the NHL increasingly appears to favor its most marketable stars when handing out its most prestigious honor but it’s starting to get out of hand.
Today, the NHL’s official media account released a poll regarding the Norris Trophy race. The post quickly sparked debate among fans, with many arguing that several deserving players have been left out of the conversation. The James Norris Memorial Trophy is given to the top defenseman who showcases “the greatest all-around ability in the position”.
Over the last couple of seasons, the award has been given out to the player who scores the most points throughout the season. This season may be a bit different, however, as the leading point-scoring defenseman isn’t even ranked in the top three of the poll. This poll has sparked debate across social media, with many fans arguing that the NHL is beginning to favor certain players in these conversations. It’s also worth noting that the voting for NHL awards is conducted by members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association.
The defenseman scoring race is starting to look like a one-man show, with Evan Bouchard pulling away from the rest of the field. As it stands, he’s on pace for 95 points, a total that would likely place him among the top ten scorers in the entire league this season. That raises an important question: why isn’t Bouchard considered the front-runner for the Norris Trophy? Although Evan Bouchard may not be viewed as the league’s best all-around defenseman, he certainly deserves to be in the Norris Trophy conversation this season. The Oilers rely on him in all situations, as he averages 24:38 of ice time per game and is often matched up against opposing teams’ top players. Along with producing offense at an elite level, he has also remained defensively responsible, posting a +17 rating, one of the better marks on his team. Evan Bouchard also has demonstrated the ability to shine in big moments throughout this season as he has 4 game-winning goals and has factored in on many more.
There’s still plenty of season left to play, but it already feels like voters may have made up their minds about who the finalists will be as we head into the final stretch. I don’t blame the writers for their choices, but there needs to be some consistency, especially considering that leading scorers have been heavy favorites for this award over the past several seasons.
Bouchard may not be the most marketable player in the league, but his elite play this season deserves recognition. If he isn’t named one of the finalists for the award, it could change the way many fans view the credibility of the NHL’s awards process.
Published on X: NHL MEDIA
