It is obvious to Islanders fans that Adam Pelech is one of the NHL’s top defensive defensemen despite lacking the offensive capabilities to be competitive with previous Norris Trophy winners.

Adam Fox registered 47 points in 55 games last year en route to his first-ever Norris Trophy at the age of 23. Adam Pelech registered just 14 points in 56 regular-season games this past year, the second-highest point total of his career. He received just one Norris vote last season, a fifth-place vote. Barring a major offensive improvement, Adam Pelech will not attain the offensive numbers that Norris Trophy winners repeatedly produce. And that’s just fine.

Adam Pelech is a perfect match for the Islanders system. He is and has always been a team-oriented player. He understands, as the greatest Blackhawks scorer Stan Mikita did, that not giving up goals is just as important as scoring goals. An offensive defenseman will get more media attention, but if they can’t hack it defensively, they’re not going to be helping the team much.

Islanders fans recognize that about Pelech. He could get zero points and we would still recognize him as an elite defenseman. Similarly, Isles fans recognize the benefits of the fourth line despite their minimal offensive contributions. In addition, if you hadn’t noticed, none of the defensemen listed above won the Stanley Cup the same year that they won the Norris.

I’m sure Islanders fans loved Barzal’s 85-point rookie season, but it didn’t mean much after looking at their place in the standings. Barry Trotz turned the worst defensive team in the league to the best in one season. Plus, even though they had significantly fewer goals in the first year under Trotz, they finished tied for the fourth-most wins in the league. 

Other teams in the league hand out massive contracts to big-name players, including some of the defensemen on the above table, hoping that will lead to success. In reality, a team-first mindset rooted in defensive play has proven to be what puts a team over the top. Only one team in the salary cap era has won a playoff round with a player making at least $10 million per season on their roster (Canadiens – 2021). The Maple Leafs have three such contracts and haven’t won a playoff series in 17 years.

Isles fans should rejoice in the depth and team-first commitment that has brought them their recent success and shouldn’t be concerned with individual statistics or accolades. It is what has allowed them to dramatically shift the trajectory of their franchise over the past few years.

John Smark