NHL Announces Norris Trophy Finalists

The National Hockey League announced the finalists for the James Norris Memorial Trophy for the league’s top defenseman. Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes, Nashville Predators captain Roman Josi and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar were named the 2024 finalists.

Hughes led all defensemen in scoring with 92 points (17G, 75A) in 82 games this season. The 24-year-old was also fourth in the NHL with a plus-minus of plus-38. Standing at 5-foot-10, Hughes is the 11th defenseman in NHL history to reach the 90-point mark. He also joins Ray Bourque and Bobby Orr as the only defenseman to have three assists in nine games in a single season.

Makar finished just behind Hughes with 90 points (21G, 69A) but led all defensemen with 1.17 points per game. The 25-year-old Makar stands 6-foot tall and helped lead the Avalanche to a 50-25-7 record which landed Colorado third place in the Central Division. Makar won the Norris Trophy in 2022 after 86 points (28G, 58A) in 77 games. He would later win the Conn Smythe Trophy for the most valuable player in the playoffs as Colorado won the Stanley Cup. This is Makar’s third nomination for the Norris trophy.

Josi led the way for defensemen in goal-scoring, notching 85 points (23G, 62A) this season. The 33-year-old led the Predators in average time-on-ice with 24:38 per game. The 6-foot-1 Josi also won the Norris Trophy in 2020 after recording 65 points (16G, 49A) in 69 games. Josi receives his third nomination for the award and will look to capture his second Norris trophy this year.

Erik Karlsson won the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2023 as the league’s top defenseman. The NHL will announce the finalists for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy on Thursday, May 2nd.


Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Conrad Jack

Conrad Jack is a Manitoba based sportswriter covering the Winnipeg Jets (NHL) and the Manitoba Moose (AHL). He also covers the NHL Draft and World Junior Championship for ITR. He writes the Bargain Bin blog which covers NHL News & Rumours.

Leave a Reply

Edmonton Oilers Cup Final Defeat x2: Offseason Plans

When the Edmonton Oilers lost Game 7 last year, I was being a good sport and watching the entire Florida Panthers team raise the Stanley Cup. After Game 6 last week, I couldn’t take seeing the same team do it at our expense for the second time in a row. If you kept your TV […]

Read More
Philadelphia Flyers Acquire Trevor Zegras From Anaheim Ducks

Philadelphia Flyers Acquire Trevor Zegras From Anaheim Ducks

The Philadelphia Flyers are reportedly acquiring forward Trevor Zegras from the Anaheim Ducks.

Read More

Opinion: How Superstition Helped Fuel Florida’s Back-to-Back Championships

There are plenty of storylines that can come out of the playoffs, but by far the most unexpected one this year was the Dairy Queen Saga that followed the Panthers for the final two series. Born from a viral photo and some coaxing by Brad Marchand, there wasn’t a game day that went by where […]

Read More