20/21 Norris finalists. Fox, Makar, Hedman. UPD: Fox wins

[sureLoss]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1402642165927497730

[Vinny01]

Pretty crazy 2 Dmen 23 or younger getting a Norris nomination. A Calgary draft pick and Calgary kid

[CroFlames]

All deserving candidates. Makar is super impressive, but Norris is a bit of a reputation award too.

It will be Hedman's this year as a nod to his Conn Smythe last year.

[Erick Estrada]

Fox didn't want to play anywhere else but NYR but one has to wonder how much better the Flames would look with him in the lineup. I feel for the scouts on that one as that pick was a big win that the organization couldn't utilize.

[neo45]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

All deserving candidates. Makar is super impressive, but Norris is a bit of a reputation award too.

It will be Hedman's this year as a nod to his Conn Smythe last year.

And that will be a massive robbery


Hedman is getting by on name value here. Didn’t have a great regular season

[Ozy_Flame]

Man that one hurts . . . Fox becoming a Norris candidate. Oh well, life throws lemons sometimes.

[Vinny01]

It definitely stings less knowing that the Flames were able to get Lindholm and Hanifin who are 2 core players and 2 of the teams best contracts in part for the Fox deal. It was pretty clear the only other option would be getting the 2 2nds the Hurricanes got for him (which may be the only assets they still have from that deal if Dougie walks this summer)

[ForeverFlameFan]

For me it’s easily Fox, which is annoying to say.

[1qqaaz]

I hope Oiler fans are salty that Barrie and Nurse aren't there.

Obviously they weren't going to be there, but I'm sure a few delusional Oiler fans are surprised and or upset.

[Canada 02]

the good news is that Jim Cummins scouted and selected Fox (and Gaudreau, iirc) for the Flames. He may not get every selection correct, but he has had some homeruns

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Fox didn't want to play anywhere else but NYR but one has to wonder how much better the Flames would look with him in the lineup. I feel for the scouts on that one as that pick was a big win that the organization couldn't utilize.

Kudos to them on identifying the talent, but I do wonder how it slipped through the cracks that he was never interested in signing with any team other than the Rangers and would be totally willing to go the college UFA route to do so.

[Moneyhands23]

I hope the next time the rangers are in town our team physically punishes Fox.

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

Kudos to them on identifying the talent, but I do wonder how it slipped through the cracks that he was never interested in signing with any team other than the Rangers and would be totally willing to go the college UFA route to do so.

He was still a valuable trade chip, and even if he had inkling's of potentially not signing, it's a 3rd round pick. You draft him first, and figure that stuff out later. It was still absolutely the right choice by the Flames to take him where he was.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

He was still a valuable trade chip, and even if he had inkling's of potentially not signing, it's a 3rd round pick. You draft him first, and figure that stuff out later. It was still absolutely the right choice by the Flames to take him where he was.

Yup. Any number of things could happen, so you draft him. Plus, it’s entirely possible he wasn’t forthright in interviews at that point (if they were even interviewing third round prospects).

How many third rounders don’t even turn into trade chips?

[gt4flames]

For Fox sakes thats hurts.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Yup. Any number of things could happen, so you draft him. Plus, it’s entirely possible he wasn’t forthright in interviews at that point (if they were even interviewing third round prospects).

How many third rounders don’t even turn into trade chips?

There's also the scenario where Fox himself, as an 18 year old, wasn't certain if he was going to try to force his way to NY or play for the Flames, or wherever. If I am not mistaken, he did come to development camp and there was no indication he was looking to get out. He was probably just happy to have been drafted and after years of contemplation and speaking with his inner circle (family, agent, advisors) decided NY is where he wanted to be, and he had a path to make it happen.

There is a loop hole and he exercised his rights. Sucks for us, but I have a hard time laying blame at the feet of the Flames. They did what they should have done in drafting the player they scouted and believed could play for them. And, frankly, that is all they should be concerning themselves with.

[Geeoff]

Seems like the right finalists. I think Makar was the best but he missed a lot of games, so I dunno

[hixxes]

Originally Posted by neo45

And that will be a massive robbery


Hedman is getting by on name value here. Didn’t have a great regular season

I've seen that comment a few times. Perhaps by his Norris-level standards his season wasn't great, but it was still a damn good season and the nomination is legit.

Hamilton, Letang, and Theodore all had very good season as well and could have been nominated.

I think Fox should win though.

[Strange Brew]

Quite the Calgary connection in that group.

Since we worry so much about players like Gaudreau wanting to go home and play, I'm looking forward to Makar returning to Calgary soon.

[PaperBagger'14]

Screw Adam Fox