Trophy Talk: Norris Trophy (Best Defenseman)

With the 2021-22 season almost finished, the debates over Who Gets What are alive & well. All the experts & their spreadsheets riddled with data & talking points, they all have their "consensus" that we're all expected to accept as gospel. But what does it really mean to be the best in one's class?

For starters, it requires an understanding of the class itself, what makes someone the very best, & how to discern elite players from one another.

Below is a ranking, in order, of who we think deserves the Norris Trophy this season.

Let's get started:

1) Cale Makar (COL) - colloquially known as the Connor McDavid of defenseman, Makar does everything for the Avalanche. Currently with 24g-51a-75p, Makar also has spectacular underlying statistics. See below:

2) Jaccob Slavin (CAR) - Slavin is the best defensive defenseman in the NHL, there is no real debate there. He is almost impossible to get pucks through, and he is the key to Carolina's stern defensive numbers. He produces adequately offensively to boot, but the most impressive part of his game is his penalty differential; it isn't easy matching up against the very best in the world & being highly effective without taking penalties. Also, phenomenal underlyings.

3) Charlie McAvoy (BOS) - C-Mac is having a low-key amazing season. While his offensive output doesn't jump off the page, his defensive game has been outstanding. Boston has one of the best D's in the league, and the pairing of McAvoy-Lindholm has been great since the latter's acquisition; and even before McAvoy was killing it.

Honorable Mentions: Roman Josi (NSH), Mackenzie Weegar (FLA), Victor Hedman (TBL)

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