NHL Names Norris Trophy Finalists

The National Hockey League released the top three vote getters for the James Norris Memorial Trophy, presented to the top defensive player, who demonstrates an all-around ability in the position, on Friday.

The nominees who will find out if they won the award during the NHL Awards in Las Vegas on June 22, include, Brent Burns of the San Jose Sharks, Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings and Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators. 

Karlsson established a single season record by a Senators defenseman for assists with 66 and points 82. He led the league in assists during the past season, and for the third straight year and fourth in five, ranked first for defensemen in points. 

In five-on-five situations, his puck possession was a 51.47 Corsi-percentage. His 7.2 percent Corsi rating put him ranked fourth amongst NHL defensemen, meaning the Senators attempted seven percent more shots when Karlsson was on the ice compared to his teammates. 

He became the first NHL defenseman to score 82 points in one season, since former New York Rangers defenseman, Brian Leetch put up 85 and former Boston Bruins defenseman, Raymond Bourque scored 82 back in the 1995-1996 season.  

Karlsson appeared in all 82 games during the 2015-2016 season, for a third straight season that he had not missed a game, leading the league in ice time with 2375:55. His even strength ice time of 1,885:26 and 28:58 average per game were also career highs.   

Burns is a first time Norris finalist. He set Sharks records for goals with 27, assists with 48 and points at 75. Burns also set a Sharks record with 353 shot on goal. 

He played in all 82 games for the Sharks, for a second straight season, leading the team in ice time with an average of 25:51 per game. In five-on-five situations, the Sharks took more shots than they allowed when Burns was on the ice. 

Doughty had a league leading Corsi-percentage of 58.89 while driving the puck possession in five-on-five situations. He ranked third in average ice time with 28:01 per game, while helping the Kings to a third consecutive top five defensive finish, with a team goals against average of 2.34. 

His 14 goals and 512 points in 2015-2016 was the most he’s scored since the 2009-2010 season when he lit the lamp 16 times and had 59 points. His plus-24 rating was a career high for him. 

The Kings took 537 more shots than they allowed, in five-on-five situations, when Doughty was on the ice. This is Doughty’s third time as a finalist for the Norris Trophy, he finished third in 2099-2010 and second in 2014-2015.