Until Nicklas Lidstrom's Norris Trophy dominance (six Norris Trophies in the last seven years) I have always thought you could debate endlessly about who deserves the honor given to the top defenseman in the NHL.
Many variables play into measuring the top defenseman in the league. Several times, the award was given to the most offensively gifted defenseman in the league (see Paul Coffey).
It's possibly the toughest trophy to award accurately of all the hardware the NHL hands out annually each June.
Again, Nicklas Lidstrom is the exception, as he is simply the hands down best all-round defender in the world. That being said, Lidstrom is now 38 years of age, and soon the Norris will be up for grabs.
This is a great time for the NHL, as there are dozens of young defensemen that can deservedly vie for the trophy: Phaneuf has played like a Norris Trophy-level defenseman for the Flames since joining the league in 2005-06. Mike Green leading all defensemen in goals in his rookie season is surely a sign of a future Norris Trophy candidate. The list goes on and on.
But one player quietly making strides in that direction is Braydon Coburn.
Drafted eighth overall by the Atlanta Thrashers in 2003—one pick ahead of Dion Phaneuf—Coburn spent parts of two seasons playing for the Chicago Wolves of the AHL before being traded to the Philadelphia Flyers for Alexei Zhitnik in February 2007. Coburn was eased into a regular role in the NHL with the Flyers, playing about fifteen minutes per game over the final 20 games of the season.
In 2007-08, Coburn had a breakout season, proving he could be a top-four defenseman in the NHL. He was a consistent and solid contributor to the Flyers' turnaround season. Coburn registered nine goals and 27 assists, for 36 points in 78 games. Very solid numbers for a 23-year-old playing his first full season in the NHL.
But to understand why Coburn could some day win the Norris, you need to dig a bit deeper than just his offensive stats or his raw skills—such as his fantastically long and powerful skating strides, his pinpoint rifle-like passes, and his booming shot from the point.
When asked during the season what he thought of Coburn. Kimmo Timonen simply stated "It's scary to think how good he'll be when he realizes what he can do out there". Anyone that watched the Flyers throughout the season could see his confidence and performance improve with every game.
The biggest difference between Coburn and the list of other young defensemen in the NHL is that he seems to get the fewest number of opportunities, because John Stevens is bringing him along at a slower pace. Players like Phaneuf and Green play ample minutes and man the point on their respective clubs' first-unit power plays. Coburn plays second-unit minutes behind Timonen and Mike Richards.
Another factor is Coburn's partner on the blue line. He is paired on a nightly basis with Derien Hatcher. Although a terrific mentor, Hatcher is not an easy linemate to play alongside. Coburn is required to cover a lot of ice and win races that should be his partner's play to make.
Last season Coburn finished 26th among all NHL defenseman in scoring, but was 70th in TOI (Time on Ice). He averaged 2:28 in the power-play time per game (82nd in the league) and registered 15 power play points (37th).
His plus/minus ranking of plus-17 was good enough for 14th in the league, and this stat is once again made more impressive when you factor in his pairing with the slow-footed Hatcher, as well as his spending many nights out against the other team's best offensive players.
Coburn's numbers may not jump out at you yet, but as the Flyers begin to depend on him more often and hand him more responsibility, it is very easy to see Coburn joining the elite defensemen in most offensive categories—and there is no reason to think his solid defensive game would deteriorate.
Coburn is a big man taking quiet steps to become an elite defenseman in the best league in the world. When he is talked about in the same breath as the other Norris Trophy candidates, this writer will not be surprised at all.
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2 months ago
Getting Colburn for Zhitnik might be the best trade in Flyers history.
2 months ago
Absolutely!
Holmgren must have had a mask on when he signed off on that deal with Waddell.
2 months ago
Coburn is definityely someone with the potential to become a Norris trophy candidate. Good article
2 months ago
Thanks Joe.
Having watched him play at least 75 games last season, I found myself thinking "wow the Flyers have a real package here". There truly isn't anything he can't do on the ice.
2 months ago
I agree, Coburn is the real deal. Waddell should have been fired for just making that trade alone. (let alone all of his other gaffes)
2 months ago
Hopefully we can take someone like Eminger who has talent and mold him into a great player to. If that is so expect some good years with Coburn, Timonen, Eminger, and Jones.
2 months ago
Chris when the trade was made on draft day for Eminger it was pretty much a non-discussion with the hockey analysts covering the draft. But I've watched Eminger play since he was 17 years old with Kitchener of the OHL, as well as playing a solid tournament for Canada at the World Junior Championships.
Eminger to me is somewhat the same type of situation Lupul was in when he came to Philly. A young player that had shown he belonged in the NHL and was in desperate need of a scenery change. Once Boudreau took the reigns for the Caps he had some boys from the "A" that he wanted to give a chance and Eminger was the oddman out.
If he gets top four Dman minutes I think you might hear some more praise for Holmgren grabbing another talent from an organization that didn't know they had it.
Good friends with Mick Richards from their juniors too. Any link to Mike is a good thing as far as I'm concerned. ;)
2 months ago
great article...i think he has the potential to become a candidate for the norris, but i don't think it's gonna happen...there are just too many good defensemen in the league right now...but don't get me wrong, i love him!!
from 2 months ago
He'll be in tough all his career with the crop of young Dmen in the league that he'll have to compete with and with the Flyers never being a team to simply their defensemen the green light all the time, his point totals will always be what holds him back from winning the Norris.
I'm a huge fan and will keep a close eye on him throughout his career.
2 months ago
This guy has Norris potential. He didn't even scratch the tip of the iceberg last season as far as his ceiling is concerned. I've never seen a player so big (6'5") who can skate so fast and smoothly. On top of that, his shot from the point is sick. And even further than that, I'd take him over Green anyday because this dude can absolutely play defense. Green, not nearly as much. Green had more chances last year to put up his points. Coburn did what he did while paired with Hatcher on the 2nd line most of the year. This year, with a full season opposite Timonen, he should be in for a big season.
2 months ago
Coburn is a saint i can not get enough of him he is very big 6'5 220 nice big Canadian boy who was a steal in a trade and racked a very good amount of points and is going to keep getting alot better every year he is also willing to throw the odd hit and get in the odd tussle to he is a very good player.
about 1 month ago
I think Braydon Coburn and Brent Burns are going to be two youngsters to keep an eye on for years to come. They won't be the only blueliners either, but these two are pretty much cut from the same mold. But when Coburn will be paired with a let's just say more prime defenseman, look out
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