Wayne Gretzky Calls For Change In The NHL Regarding This Former Bruin

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Austin Sabourin
June 5, 2023 (4:23)

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The Norris Trophy in the NHL has sparked a flurry of discussions as of late. Topping the list of potential recipients is Erik Karlsson, who has emerged as the frontrunner for this prestigious award. However, there's a growing sentiment that the current system for determining the winner may be flawed.

Critics argue that the Norris Trophy fails to adequately recognize defensive brilliance, often overshadowed by offensive statistics and numbers. This sentiment gained traction recently when a tweet comparing Karlsson and Hampus Lindholm circulated across social media platforms. Karlsson, a standout player for the San Jose Sharks, amassed an impressive 101 points this season but also carried a concerning minus-26 plus/minus rating.

Conversely, Lindholm, a key member of the Boston Bruins, posted an outstanding plus-49 plus/minus rating, yet his name has gone largely unnoticed in discussions surrounding potential Norris Trophy winners this year.

Enter Wayne Gretzky, never one to shy away from sharing his perspective. The legendary player voiced his thoughts on the matter, proposing a novel idea to The Athletic. Gretzky suggested that the NHL establish a brand-new trophy, aptly named the Bobby Orr Trophy, to honor the defenseman who accumulates the most points in a season.

Gretzky's reasoning behind this proposition lies in his firm belief that Bobby Orr and Gordie Howe are the greatest players in NHL history, deserving of special recognition. The idea is not merely to create a separate trophy, but to revamp the entire concept of the Norris Trophy.

Gretzky passionately advocates for the Norris Trophy to be split in two, with the offensive dynamo earning the Bobby Orr Trophy and the top defensive player receiving the Gordie Howe Trophy. In his view, it's time to pay homage to these extraordinary figures who have left an indelible mark on the sport.

"We need a Bobby Orr Trophy for the defenseman with the most points, and then (a trophy) for the best defensive defenseman. Let's have two awards. We owe it to Bobby Orr and Gordie Howe, the greatest players ever," stated The Great One emphatically.