Politics are always an unfortunate variable at play in all walks of life—even in professional sports, too. When deliberating about what NHL defenseman is deserved of the Norris trophy this season, there are no reasons why it shouldn’t be in New York Rangers Adam Fox‘s grasp. That is other than the politics.
In 55 games played, Fox tallied 47 points—42 of which were assists as he has established himself as the most effective power play quarterback in the league in only his sophomore season. Thus, he was voted the New York Rangers most valuable player, an honor that has been bestowed upon the legendary Brian Leetch—whom Fox has forged numerous comparisons with this year—six times. Leetch was the last Ranger to win the Norris in 1997.
What’s really bewildering about Fox’s play is his cerebral vision of the ice. He’s not the fastest player, nor are his stick skills Patrick Kane level. It’s his methodical way of slowing the game down. He thinks one step ahead of the opposition and that’s what sets him apart from other Norris candidates.
My favorite explanation of this came from Steve Valiquette on a post-game show in which he delineated the differences in reading the game between the views from the press box, bench, and actually being on the ice. Each of these views going from one to two to three dimensional, respectively. When having a bird’s eye view of the game, it’s easy to read because the players look like as he called, “ants”. With a panoramic view at bench level, you can still see a big picture. But once the game becomes three dimensional and is coming at you head on—at the speed of the NHL no less—it is extremely difficult to read at the function of Adam Fox.
Fox ate almost a whopping 25 minutes of ice time per night and ended the year at +19. The last stretch of games against the Islanders, Capitals, and Bruins certainly hurt every Rangers differential, but to amass these statistics on a non-playoff team is the conspicuous narrative here.
That is where the tradition of choosing a defenseman who is on a playoff team comes into play, as no Norris trophy winner has ever been on a non-playoff team. There are several Avalanche defenseman to consider, including Samuel Girard, Devon Toews, and Cale Makar. There’s Carolina’s transitional sensation, Dougie Hamilton, and the likely favorite in Tampa Bay’s Victor Hedman, who has won the award once before. You could also throw Edmonton’s Tyson Barrie and Washington’s John Carlson in the mix, both of whom have eaten elite minutes and produced fruitfully.
Can you ascertain what all of those player’s respective teams have in common? You got it—not only playoff teams, but Cup contenders. Generally, when you possess an elite defenseman that wields the ice time, production, shut down defense etc., you’re at the top of the heap. It makes voting for Adam Fox a truly unprecedented dilemma because politics say to vote for the guy who is on the best team.
I’d urge the Norris voters to not fall mistaken to thinking the Rangers shortcomings have the same correlation to Fox as the dominance of the other candidate’s teams have to their contributions. Replace Fox with any one of the other aforementioned names on the Rangers and I don’t think they come close to what he accomplished.
It’s easy to look great when you’re surrounded by experience and top talent; all of those teams run like a fine-tuned machine and these already-established defenseman are insured with the help around them. When you’re with a young under-confident group trying to find their footing—in your second season to boot—you’re on your own. Converting the way Fox did is an aberration.
The Rangers’ quiet overachievements in this bizarre season go without compensation, rightfully so. But amongst everything, the merit of Adam Fox in these circumstances must receive its deserved appreciation. After all, this about the NHL’s most raw all-around defenseman; it’s not a pageantry.