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Elite defenseman has everyone watching his exceptional play

Posted September 30, 2009 11:00 pm

By Tim Sassone

Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com Duncan Keith of the Chicago Blackhawks during a game against the Minnesota Wild at the United Center. Mark Black | Staff Photographer

Duncan Keith probably won't win the Norris Trophy this season, but he's inching his way closer to being a serious candidate.

That's how it works in the NHL when it comes to one of its most prestigious postseason awards, which goes annually to the league's top defenseman.

You pay your dues, gain exposure and build a reputation - all of which Keith is doing as he enters his fifth season as the anchor of the Blackhawks' defense.

This is the way Nicklas Lidstrom, Scott Niedermayer, Chris Pronger and Zdeno Chara did it. They've accounted for the last nine Norris Trophies, with Detroit's Lidstrom winning six of them.

Chara won it last season for his monster year with the Boston Bruins, but he spent eight years in the NHL building his reputation.

By most accounts, there are four defensemen closing in on entering that elite group of Norris Trophy-caliber defensemen. Keith is one of them, along with Nashville's Shea Weber, Washington's Mike Green and Calgary's Dion Phaneuf.

"You have to get on the radar first," said Hawks radio broadcaster Troy Murray. "You have to earn your stripes, so to speak, get the respect of the writers (who vote for the Norris). You have to take steps to gain that recognition, and I think Dunc has done that. He's on the radar now and it's up to him to keep progressing to become an elite player."

Last season did wonders for Keith and his reputation, as he was able to showcase his talent on some of hockey's biggest stages. He played on a wildly popular Hawks team that gained attention all across North America during the regular season, in the Winter Classic and by advancing to the Western Conference finals.

Keith was invited to Team Canada's Olympic orientation camp in August and now is considered close to a lock to nail down one of the eight spots on the team's defense.

Keith said he didn't need the Olympic invite to confirm in his own mind that he has earned a place among hockey's best defensemen.

"I feel comfortable with what I do on the ice," Keith said. "I feel like I can shut down anyone. Maybe that's just me just being full of myself, I don't know, but I feel when I'm on the ice and playing my game that I'm getting better and am tough to play against.

"Playing with Seabs (Brent Seabrook), I think we do a good job playing against other teams' top lines."

Keith is coming off his best season, in which he was a career-best plus-33 to go with 44 points, also a career high. Only six players in the league were on the ice more than Keith's average of 25 minutes, 34 seconds per game for the Hawks.

Keith was plus-30 in 2007-08, when he made his first appearance in the All-Star Game.

"I don't judge myself by stats," Keith said. "I try to do the little things to help win games, like have a good stick, break up plays and having good break-out passes. If you do those little things, then your stats will take care of themselves."

Hawks coach Joel Quenneville got the opportunity to appreciate Keith up close last season every day in practice and in games.

"He has very good quickness and very good instincts with and without the puck," Quenneville said. "We're fortunate to have a very good pair with him and Seabs. Every once in awhile you think you can split them up, but you end up putting them right back together."

"They're one of the best shutdown pairings in the league," Hawks winger Patrick Sharp said.

Keith, who is entering his prime years, believes he has a lot more to bring to the table.

"I'm only 26 and I still have a lot to learn and to get better at every year," Keith said. "We're all looking forward to this season and trying to take another step."

St. Louis Blues' Paul Kariya, right, reaches for a puck around Chicago Blackhawks' Duncan Keith during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Jeff Roberson

Chicago Blackhawks' defenceman Duncan Keith celebrates his game winning goal during overtime of an NHL hockey game against the Calgary Flames in Calgary, Friday, Dec. 19, 2008. The Chicago Blackhawks beat the Calgary Flames 3-2 in overtime. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jeff McIntosh) Jeff McIntosh

Duncan Keith, defenseman, 2007-08 Chicago Blackhawks hockey.

Duncan Keith Mary Beth Nolan | Staff Photographer

St. Louis Blues' Paul Kariya, right, reaches for a puck around Chicago Blackhawks' Duncan Keith last season. Associated Press

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