The Top 5 Norris Trophy Candidates at the End of December

One of the biggest awards in the NHL to seemingly change the course of why it is presented is the James Norris Memorial Trophy, or the Norris Trophy. An award that has been given to the best all-around defensemen in recent years has been awarded to the best offensive defensemen. A worthy trophy, the league’s best defensemen battle it out with offensive production to win the only award given strictly to defensemen.

The award was named after James Norris, an American-Canadian businessman, who operated cattle and grain industries. He was once the owner of the Detroit Red Wings and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1958. He passed away on December 4, 1952, in Chicago, Illinois.

Norris Trophy was a hockey original

The James Norris Memorial Trophy, an annual award, is “given to the defensive player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-around ability in the position.”  The award has been awarded 61 times to 26 players since the award’s inception during the 1953-54 season.

The award was presented to the league by the four children of Norris in memory of their late father the NHL in 1953. Norris was the owner of the Detroit Red Wings from 1932-1952. The James Norris Memorial Trophy was first awarded to Red Wings defenseman Red Kelly in 1954. Kelly would finish third in team scoring with 16 goals and 33 assists for 49 points.

The award has been given out to players who have won the Norris Trophy more than once. Bobby Orr of the Boston Bruins won the award for eight consecutive seasons from 1969-1975. Montreal Canadians defenseman Doug Harvey and Detroit Red Wings Nicklas Lidstrom each have won the award seven times, while Boston Bruins legend defenseman Ray Bourque has won the Norris Trophy five times in his career. Last season, Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche won the award.

While the award still focuses on the best offensive defensemen, some fans think it should go back to being awarded to the best overall defensemen. Of the players who have won the Norris Trophy, 19 are in the Hockey Hall of Fame. While Erik Karlsson seems to be the favorite,  who is your favorite to take the award this season? Below are the top five candidates who are favorites to win the Norris Trophy this season.

San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson has taken the lead in the favorite to win the award. Karlsson has 13 goals and 33 assists for 46 points, three game-winning goals including two overtime goals. He has always been an offensive defenseman with moves that are not even pulled off by forwards.

Karlsson was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the first round (15th overall) in the 2008 NHL Draft. Karlsson throughout his career has appeared in six all-star games and is a two-time winner of the Norris Trophy, winning the award in 2011-12 and again in 2014-15. On September 13, 2018, he was traded to the San Jose Sharks. The question becomes does Karlsson deserve to win the trophy due to the fact the Sharks are currently in seventh place? The Landsboro, Sweden native leads the Sharks in scoring and has one goal and eight assists for nine points in his last five games. The talent Karlsson has is not a question but where does he end up in this close Norris Trophy race?

Karlsson runs the offense in San Jose and, for now, is the main offensive weapon. He runs the power play, joins the rush, and shoots whenever possible. Karlsson is capable of winning the Norris Trophy for the third time but he has stiff competition from hungry defensemen wanting to win the award for the first time. Cn Karlsson hang on and win the award or will someone catch and eventually pass him?

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey is next in line for the Norris Trophy as he is right behind Karlsson in defensemen scoring. He has six goals and 33 assists for 39 points and has one goal and six assists for seven points in his last five games. Morrissey has four game-winning goals including two overtime goals, 45 blocked shots, 37 hits, and 14 power-play points, is a +16, and leads the Jets in scoring.

Morrissey was drafted by Winnipeg in the first round (13th overall) in the 2013 NHL Draft. Shortly after his arrival, he began to take over the offense and lead the charge from the defensive zone. He can run the power play and lead the offense from his outlet passes. Morrissey is more than qualified to run the offense from start to finish, often joining the rush to create an offensive chance. Not a big defenseman, Morrissey uses his speed to his advantage. Morrissey boasts a booming slapshot but his wrist shot is easy for deflections in front of the net.

Morrissey is right in the conversation for the Norris Trophy. He is second in scoring among defensemen and is on a playoff-contending team. Morrissey may be the one to outperform Karlsson and take home the hardware after the season has been completed. With veteran players and plenty of scoring options for him, Morrissey has the ability to go on a scoring tear as we enter the second half of the season. A defenseman to watch as the Jets look for a playoff spot in the competitive Western Conference.

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin has certainly grown into a franchise player. Big and agile, Dahlin controls the game from the blue line and operates at his own pace. He is part of the Sabre’s young core, which is one to watch for the foreseeable future.

Dahlin has been impressive in his young career. This season, He has played 31 games, posting 10 goals and 27 assists for 37 points and 40 penalty minutes. He has two game-winning goals and is a +17. His 37 points are good for second-in-team scoring. In his last five games, Dahlin has one goal and four assists for five points. The first overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft has grown into the player the Sabres thought they were drafting and is one of the cornerstones of the Buffalo Sabres going forward.

Dahlin has a powerful slapshot, is an impressive skater for a player his size, can read the play, plays a physical game, and is a smooth skater. He has been so good that he appeared in his first all-star game during the 2022 mid-season classic.

Dahlin is part of a promising Sabres team that is filled with young talent and talent that has some offensive weapons. Dahlin could make this Norris Trophy race interesting and could raise some eyebrows, regardless if he takes home the award or not. He is a special player and, with Owen Power, gives the Buffalo Sabres two defensemen who can be elite for the next 15 years.

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mikhail Sergachev may be the dark horse in this race but this should be no surprise. He has been a steady, physical force since his rookie season and he is just getting started. This season for the Lightning, he has five goals and 22 assists for 27 points in 30 games, along with one game-winning goal. He has 13 power-play points and has produced one goal and four assists for five points in his last five games.

Sergachev came to the Lightning in a trade with the Montreal Canadians and has used that opportunity to become one of the best defensemen in the league. Not only is he a physical force, but he can also produce offensively and is a solid player in the defensive zone. This season, he has 62 blocked shots, 36 hits, and 26 penalty minutes.

The first-round pick (ninth overall) by the Montreal Canadians is already a success and is young enough to accomplish more to put on his resume. Sergachev has won back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and again in 2021. Sergachev has already had an outstanding career and he still has ten years of playing time to look forward to. A huge part of the Lightning’s success looks to be a force going forward.

Sergachev has so many different aspects to his game that makes him an all-around defenseman, yet dangerous. He is primed for many years of success and more Stanley Cups. Sergachev is a top-tier defenseman in the NHL, one that combines raw talent with physical play.