The Washington Capitals coach - who's perhaps had an observant eye on the Western Conference heavyweight Los Angeles Kings all season long - was the latest hockey mind to weigh in on the enduring Drew Doughty-Norris Trophy debate ahead of their marquee clash Wednesday night.
And he heaped strong praise onto the Kings' workhorse.
"He's probably been the best defenseman this year in my opinion," Trotz said, according to Yahoo's Josh Cooper.
The debate, and this line of thinking, is nothing new, of course. Doughty is objectively great and universally extolled, especially by those inside the sport.
But with volume-scoring Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson having a career season offensively, it appears likely that Doughty will once again finish in the bridesmaid position.
Backup Thomas Greiss will start Wednesday night versus the Toronto Maple Leafs, and shoulder the bulk of the duties down the stretch with Halak out for at least the rest of the regular season.
Greiss has been quite useful for the Islanders in what's been the busiest campaign of his seven-year career. He owns a .930 save percentage in 29 total appearances, with 18 wins to his credit.
Halak suffered the apparent lower-body injury late in what proved to be his 200th NHL win when he made a push to get in position to defend a shot from Penguins defenseman Trevor Daley.
New York has a five-point lead and two games in hand on the Penguins for the final guaranteed postseason spot in the Metropolitan Division.
NEW YORK, N.Y. - The NHL has fined New Jersey Devils forward Tuomo Ruutu $5,000 for kicking the legs out from under Pittsburgh forward Matt Cullen.
The fine, announced by the league Wednesday, is the maximum allowed under the collective barga...
WINNIPEG - At an age when many young boys would be content to spend hours playing with toy cars or action figures, Mark Scheifele was already focusing on his future.
The Winnipeg Jets centre's father chuckles when he recalls a memory of Schei...
Vancouver, B.C. – Vancouver Canucks General Manager Jim Benning announced today that the Canucks have signed defenceman Nikita Tryamkin to a 2-year entry-level contract.
Tryamkin, 21, appeared in 53 games for the Yekaterinburg Automobilis of t...
The NHL has closed its independent investigation in regards to sexual assault allegations made against Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane this past summer.
The league released the following statement:
The National Hockey League announced today that it has completed its independent review of the Patrick Kane matter, the final stage of which included an in-person meeting between Kane and Commissioner Gary Bettman in New York on Monday, March 7.
Based on its review, including the determination made by the Erie County District Attorney not to pursue charges, the NHL has concluded that the allegations made against Kane were unfounded. The League considers the matter closed and will have no further comment.
The league announced it would conduct a review in November after it was determined that Kane would not be charged with sexual assault.
Instead of filling out the nameplate with, well, his name, this fan requested the ghost and bear emojis now commonly used to refer to the rookie defenseman.
TORONTO - The owner of the Ottawa Senators has begun legal proceedings against a drug company that he alleges has been mismanaged to the detriment of shareholders, including himself.
A notice of action was filed in Toronto against Acerus Phar...
The San Jose Sharks have signed winger Kevin Labanc to a standard, entry-level contract, general manager Doug Wilson announced Wednesday.
Labanc, 20, leads the Ontario Hockey League with 119 points (38 goals, 81 assists) through 59 games with the Barrie Colts this season.
"Kevin has become one of the premier point producers in the OHL and has elevated his game to new heights this season," Wilson said. "His smart, crafty play with the puck has made him a dangerous offensive player, but with the help of Barrie's head coach Dale Hawerchuk, his game has improved physically and in the defensive end as well.
"We're excited to see his continued development with our organization."
Labanc was selected in the sixth round of the 2014 NHL Draft, 171st overall.
