I texted six NHL coaches this week and asked a simple but complicated question: Who is your choice to win the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defenceman?
The three coaches from the Eastern Conference all answered Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators.
The three coaches from the Western Conference all answered Brent Burns of the San Jose Sharks.
Then, one day later, one of the Western coaches texted me again. “I am changing my vote,” he wrote. “Victor Hedman.” The Tampa Bay defenceman.
And there is my ballot, staring at me, waiting to be filled out online, due on Wednesday, one day left in the NHL season, and three terrific choices.