Victor Hedman, Roman Josi and Cale Makar have been named finalists for the Norris Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL’s most outstanding defenseman, the National Hockey League announced Monday.
Posted at 12:15 p.m.
Hedman, who is a runner-up for the sixth straight season, finished third in scoring among NHL defensemen with 85 points (20 goals, 65 assists) in 82 games for the Tampa Bay Lightning this season. Moreover, the Swede won the honor in 2017-18, and he has finished third in the polls in each of the last three campaigns.
PHOTO CHRISTOPHER HANEWINCKEL, USA TODAY SPORTS ARCHIVES
Roman Josi
For his part, Josi finished first among defensemen in the league with 96 points (23 goals, 73 assists), 11 power play goals and 281 shots on goal in 80 games this season with the Nashville Predators. The Swiss thus became the first defenseman in the league to amass at least 90 points in a season since Raymond Bourque (91) with the Boston Bruins in 1993-94.
For his part, Makar led defensemen on the Bettman circuit with a total of 28 goals for the Colorado Avalanche, and he finished second behind Josi in points (86). He was a Norris Trophy runner-up last year, and if selected this time around, he would become the first Avalanche defenseman to win the honour.
PHOTO RON CHENOY, USA TODAY SPORTS ARCHIVE
Hold Makar
The identity of the Norris Trophy winner will be revealed at the NHL Awards Ceremony, Conference Finals Series and Stanley Cup Finals Series.
New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox won the Norris Trophy last season.