Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin, Colorado Avalanche star Cale Makar, and Columbus Blue Jackets workhorse Zach Werenski are the three finalists for the Norris Trophy, the league announced Thursday.
The Norris Trophy is given to the defenseman "who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-around ability in the position" and is voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
Here's how they stack up in several key categories.
| Player | GP | G | A | xGF% | ATOI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rasmus Dahlin | 77 | 19 | 55 | 54.27 | 24:11 |
| Cale Makar | 75 | 20 | 59 | 55.93 | 24:51 |
| Zach Werenski | 75 | 22 | 59 | 56.02 | 26:37 |
xGF% courtesy Evolving-Hockey.
Makar is the reigning winner of the award and a two-time recipient. This is the sixth straight year he's been a finalist. He ranked third among defensemen in points (79) and 10th in plus-minus (+32) while helping the Avalanche win the Presidents' Trophy.
Werenski is a finalist for the second consecutive season after being named the runner-up to Makar a year ago. He finished second among defensemen in points (81), first in shots (260), and second in average time on ice. Werenski is the only defenseman who led his team in points this season, tallying 14 more than second-place Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko.
Dahlin, a first-time finalist, helped the Sabres snap an NHL-record 14-year playoff drought. He finished seventh among defensemen in goals, sixth in assists, and sixth in points.
