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.
