Victor Hedman, Roman Josi Cale MakarMonday's announcement of the finalist list for the NHL's 2021-22 Norris Trophy was made. The trophy is presented annually to the defense player who has demonstrated the most all-round ability throughout the season.
Each year, the award is voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association. The 2022 NHL Awards will announce the winner during the Conference Final and Stanley Cup Final. Details and times will be released.
Tampa BayHedman, a Norris finalist, is the sixth consecutive season. He was the winner of the award in 2017-18. He also placed third in 2016, 2017, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21, and 2019. Hedman had career-highs in assists (65) goals, points (85) and assists (20), while also anchoring Tampa's Blueline to achieve a 110 point season (third best in franchise history).
NashvilleJosi, the Predators' first-ever recipient of the Norris award in 2019, is a Norris finalist again. Josi, who scored 23 goals and had 96 points in 80 games, became the most prolific defenseman over the last 29 seasons. Josi was the only defender to have more points in a single season in the last 50 years. He helped Nashville reach its eighth consecutive postseason.
ColoradoMakar, who is a Norris finalist in the second consecutive season is looking to be the first ever winner in Avalanche history. Makar was the top defenseman with 28 goals, and second in points (86), as Colorado's most energetic workhorse. This came in a franchise record 119-point season. Makar, 23 years old, won the NHL Calder Trophy as rookie of year in 2019. He is the fourth NHL defenseman to have been a finalist in any category of awards in each of his three previous seasons.
