“Definitely a huge honour” – Tampa Bay Lightning’s Victor Hedman, Nashville Predators’ Roman Josi, Colorado Avalanche’s Cale Makar named Norris Trophy finalists

“Definitely a huge honour” – Tampa Bay Lightning’s Victor Hedman, Nashville Predators’ Roman Josi, Colorado Avalanche’s Cale Makar named Norris Trophy finalists

Lightning's Victor Hedman, Predators' Roman Josi, Avalanche's Cale Makar

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Victor Hedman, Roman Josi and Cale Makar on Monday were announced as finalists for the National Hockey League (NHL) 2021-22 Norris Trophy, awarded annually “to the best defenseman who demonstrates the greatest all-round ability in the position throughout the season.”

Tampa Bay’s Hedman is a final candidate for the Norris Trophy for the sixth consecutive season. The Swede ice hockey player won the award for the 2017-18 season, and placed third for each of 2016-17, 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21. 

Nashville’s Josi is a Norris Trophy finalist for the second time in his NHL career after becoming the Predators’ first-ever winner of the award for his performance in 2019-20. During the 2021-22 edition, Josi, 31, became the highest-scoring defenseman in the last 29 years, claiming 23 goals and 96 points in 80 games.

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Just like Josi, Colorado’s Makar is also a Norris Trophy finalist for the second consecutive season, and will look to become the first-ever winner in Avalanche history. The youngster led all defensemen this season with 28 goals and was second in points (86) as one of Colorado’s most dynamic players in a franchise-record 119-point campaign. 

“Individual recognition is always great” 

Norris Trophy finalists
Norris Trophy finalists

“Well, it’s certainly a great honour once again,” Hedman said, as quoted by NHL.com. “For me, the trophy that matters most is the one we play for as a team, obviously, but to get the individual recognition is always great. Playing for this team is such an honour and without my teammates, I wouldn’t be in this situation. I owe everything to this organization and my teammates.”

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“Definitely a huge honour,” Josi said. “Nominated with those guys too. I mean, obviously Makar and Hedman, two unbelievable players and guys I loved watching them play, guys I love competing against. So it’s definitely a huge honour to be nominated with those guys.”

“Cale, obviously, my teammate and a (heck) of a player,” Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen said when comparing teammate Makar to Josi. “I think they both are really good defensemen. Probably a little different style. Both are really good offensively but also can defend well. But obviously, I’ll give my vote to Cale. You know how explosive he is. Twenty-something goals, almost 30. It’s not easy for defensemen to do.”

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