The Tampa Bay Lightning got a-Hed of themselves today. As in Victor Hedman. As in Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman, who was nominated for the Norris Trophy.
Erik Karlsson, Brent Burns, and Victor Hedman named finalists for NHL’s best defensemen
Thanks for the leak, Lightning.
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
You shouldn’t know that yet, but here we are.
Whoops.
Well. We’ll go with it. The nominees, per that leak, are Ottawa Senators captain Erik Karlsson, San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns, and that Victor Hedman guy. The Norris Trophy is awarded to the NHL’s best defenseman each season as voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association.
The first two, Karlsson and Burns, were locks for the award. Burns led all NHL defensemen with 76 points, 29 goals, and 320 shots on net. Karlsson finished third in NHL defenseman scoring with 71 points while improving his possession numbers to career-highs. Karlsson only trailed three other defenseman in average time on ice per game (27:08) and only Drew Doughty with 31.5 shifts per game.
Hedman, meanwhile, had a career season with Tampa Bay. Hedman led all defenseman with 33 power play points, trailed only Karlsson and Burns in points per game.
The Norris Trophy will be awarded at the NHL Awards on June 21.
