The National Hockey League is announcing finalists for all of their end of season awards this week. Today, they have revealed the three players that are up for the Norris Trophy as the league’s best defenseman. In the running are Adam Fox of the New York Rangers, Erik Karlsson of the San Jose Sharks and Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche.
Fox has quickly become known as one of the best offensive defensemen in the league, and his 72 points in 82 games are proof of that. He has also become a well-rounded defender and is regularly on the ice for the Rangers against the other team’s top players, and routinely takes over the play when he is on the ice. He also averaged over two minutes of ice time per game while his team was shorthanded, proving he can be counted on in all situations. The 25 year old has already won a Norris Trophy once, in 2021, and is now up for the award for the second time after playing just his fourth NHL season.
Karlsson had an incredible bounceback season for the Sharks. After scoring 97 points in 158 games combined over the previous three seasons, the 32-year-old defenseman had his best season yet by scoring 25 goals and 101 points. This was the first time a defenseman reached 100 points since Brian Leetch did so with the New York Rangers 31 years ago. Karlsson’s game is geared heavily towards offense and not as much towards defense, which could cost him in his quest for a third Norris Trophy after winning the award in 2012 and 2015. However, it is hard to argue the value of a defenseman that can score 101 points.
Makar has stormed onto the NHL scene much like Fox. Once they arrived, they immediately became stars. The 24-year-old defender won the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie in 2020, the Conn Smythe in 2022 as Playoffs MVP and he also took home the Norris Trophy last season. He was limited to 60 games this season, but made his mark by scoring 17 goals and 66 points while being a tremendous defensive presence as well. No one in the entire NHL averaged more time on ice per game than Makar’s 26:23 per contest and he is among the league’s best in all situations.
The Norris Trophy will be handed out on June 26th at the NHL Awards ceremony.
KARLSSON FOR SURE , FOX 2ND , MAKAR 3RD….WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF MONTOUR FINISHED 4TH…
Can’t imagine anyone other than Karlsson this season. FYI. Fox was terrible in the Devils series.
The entire team played horrible after game two.
Would’ve been interesting if Makar didn’t get hurt and miss so many games; Fox only had 6 more points despite playing 22 more games.
Karlsson
Makar
Fox
Agreed, and I’m a Rangers fan. Will say though that some of Fox’ lack of points was his commitment to defense, which has greatly improved. And with Lindgren out for some periods, it didn’t help freeing him up.
Brady Skjei deserves some votes. He had 18 goals and is outstanding defensively
There’s no way. Less than .5 ppg and eh on defense. If he was that good, the Rangers would’ve kept him.
Seriously Would not vote for any of them. Karlsson proving even on bad team someone will get points.Would have voted for Morrissey Skjei , Heiskanen. Or the guy who will never win but should Slavin.
I agree. I don’t see how Karlsson did anything to make the Sharks better. He’s one-dimensional. Cool on him for reaching 100 points, but it was all garbage time.
What, No Hawks? LOL
I know i was sooo mad i pee’d a lil when i didnt see Arber Xhekaj nominated.TOTAL FARCE
For 9.5 million bucks you should see Seth Jones name here. I guess that kinda money doesn’t go as far as it used to. The Hawks must of had the most over rated and overpaid D-Men in the history of Hockey. All together now….. Thanks Stan! And the Penguins are thinking of hiring him? Wow.
Might as well include Darnell Nurse!
Bobby Orr deserves that ahead of anyone else!
Morrissey and Hughs deserve a nod, too!
For sure. I was wondering if Makar would slip out given the injury troubles this season, but no dice. I’d have thrown Lindholm in there too.
Writers just favor the big names. Please note than none of these 3 are still playing in the playoffs. Writers overlook players from smaller market teams such as Jaccob Slavin, whose Hurricanes team may have the besst defense in the NHL.
I mean, the Norris is a regular-season award…
Smaller market? The Canes market is right there with Denver and not too far behind San Jose. His production as nowhere near the ballpark of these 3 finalist. Is he even top 10?
Karlsson was a -26, he’s been a minus player in 9/14 seasons, so I’d have a problem pronouncing him best defenseman for the year. I get the points, but make a Paul Coffey Award for best offensive defenseman and keep the Norris name for best overall.
+\- tells you more about the quality of team, not the player.
Agree and disagree!6
Something about your lack of defensive play if you score 100pts and are a -26
However, a bad defensive system and goalie can crater that quickly
And keep in mind the amount of time on ice…for a bad team…and goalie. His ability to score 100+ on a bad team on defense goes to show how good of a season he had.
Where’s Miro at? I think he should win it and he’s not even nominated. Dallas Stars players don’t always get the credit they deserve and are constantly overlooked.
Best defenseman should go to the best defenseman, not the one who scores the most points. Fox should win based on his all around play.