Chicago Blackhawks' Duncan Keith Now NHL's Best Defenseman

Defense Duncan Keith figuratively put the Chicago Blackhawks on his back when they needed him most in the Stanley Cup Final. When the team needed a stop in front of the net, Keith was there. When the team was having trouble scoring, Keith put the puck in the net. He played on powerplay, penalty kill and most of five-on-five play.

Keith earned the Conn Smythe Trophy more than any player in recent memory. He scored three goals in the playoffs — and all three were game-winners.

Keith now takes the crown as the best defenseman in the NHL. It seems there is an upper echelon of superior defensemen in this league, but nobody compares to Keith. He beats out names like Shea Weber, Erik Karlsson, P.K. Subban and Mark Giordano.

When one looks at Keith’s impact on the Blackhawks, you have to look at his minutes. Over the past two months, he has played over 685 minutes of hockey. In 23 games this postseason, he fell under 25 minutes twice. In those same games, he went over 40 minutes three times, including over 49 minutes in a Game 2 win against the Anaheim Ducks. He is Iron Man for the Blackhawks.

The Conn Smythe Trophy proves it. So does his three Stanley Cups, two Olympic gold medals and two James Norris trophies.