The NHL has announced the three finalists for the Norris Trophy. They are Zdeno Chara, Erik Karlsson and Shea Weber. The Norris Trophy is awarded to the defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position.
Zdeno Chara plays for the Boston Bruins and is coming off his best offensive season with 52 points. He averages 25 minutes a game and has a plus 33 rating. This is the 5th time Chara has been nominated for the Norris Trophy and he won it once in 2009.
Erik Karlsson plays for the Ottawa Senators and he has truly had an amazing season. Karlsson led all defenseman with 78 points and is ranked 10th among all players. He set new franchise records for assists, points and game winning goals. He also tied Ottawa’s record for goals by a defenseman with 19. Karlsson also led defenseman with 67 takeaways while averaging a team high 25:19 per game.
Shea Weber plays for the Nashville Predators and has tied Erik Karlsson for a league high 19 goals by a defenseman. Weber has had a career best season with 49 points and he has a impressive 10 powerplay goals. He averages over 26 minutes of ice time per game and has a plus 21 rating. He leads the Predators with 177 hits and 140 blocked shots. This is Weber’s second nomination for the Norris Trophy.
So there’s a look at the three finalists for the Norris Trophy. I honestly think it’s Erik Karlsson year to win it. He led all defenseman with 78 points which is 25 more points than the 2nd place defenseman Dustin Byfuglien. Karlsson has matured so much since his previous and has given the Ottawa Senators they depth they need to be successful. That’s my choice for the Norris Trophy winner, what’s yours?
