Doughty for Norris?

Is it too early in his career to start the “Doughty for Norris” campaign? Drew Doughty is only 20, in his second NHL season, but he enters tonight’s games tied for third in the NHL among scoring defensemen, with 53 points in 71 games. Doughty’s plus-17 rating is 14th among defensemen and his average ice time (24:56) is 12th. I asked Terry Murray today if it was too early to start the campaign, or if he would endorse it…

MURRAY: “I’d throw his name in there. I threw his name in there for rookie of the year (last year) and he never made the final three, which is still mind-boggling to me. But his year has been spectacular through this season. The points, the key situations, the fact that the team has moved up in the standings and is starting to get some recognition around the league. He’s an anchor for us back there, and I think, right now, he’s comparable, number-wise and on the defensive part of the game, with plus-minus and minutes played. He has to have some consideration by the people who vote for it, for sure.”