Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

Your James Norris Memorial Trophy Finalists

04/29/2016 at 8:06pm EDT

NEW YORK (April 29, 2016) -- Brent Burns of the San Jose Sharks, Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings and Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators are the three finalists for the 2015-16 James Norris Memorial Trophy, which is awarded “to the defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position,” the National Hockey League announced today.

Members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association submitted ballots for the Norris Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists. The winner will be announced Wednesday, June 22, during the 2016 NHL Awards, hosted by actor Will Arnett, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

Following are the finalists for the Norris Trophy, in alphabetical order:

Brent Burns, San Jose Sharks

Burns set several Sharks records for defensemen this season, including those for most goals (27), assists (48) and points (75). He also set an overall team mark for most shots on goal (353). The first-time Norris Trophy finalist ranked near the top of the League in several categories, including shots (second), goals by a defenseman (first), points by a defenseman (second) and assists by a defenseman (T-third). Burns appeared in all 82 games for a second consecutive season and logged a team-leading and career-high 25:51 in ice time per game (fourth in NHL), helping the Sharks jump from 24th in team defense last season to 11th in 2015-16.

Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings

Doughty appeared in all 82 games for the second consecutive season and was third in the League in average ice time (28:01), helping the Kings to a third consecutive top-five finish in team defense (third, 2.34 GA/GP). He registered his highest goals and points totals since 2009-10 (14-37--51), posted a career-best +24 rating and topped the NHL in several enhanced statistics categories, including the team puck possession metric SAT (shot attempts differential) – the Kings recorded 537 more shot attempts than they allowed with him on the ice at 5-on-5. Doughty is a Norris Trophy finalist for the second straight season and third time overall, placing third in 2009-10 and second in 2014-15.

Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators

Karlsson set single-season franchise records for assists and points by a defenseman (16-66—82), leading the NHL in assists and topping all defensemen in points for the third consecutive season and fourth time in the past five campaigns. He appeared in all 82 games for the third straight season and led the NHL in total time on ice (2,375:55), even-strength time on ice (1,885:26) and average time on ice (28:58), all career-high figures. Karlsson is vying for his second consecutive and third career Norris Trophy, having won the competition in both prior years as a finalist (2012, 2015).

History

The James Norris Memorial Trophy was presented in 1953 by the four children of the late James Norris in memory of the former owner-president of the Detroit Red Wings.

Announcement Schedule

The three finalists for NHL trophies are being announced by NBCSN in the United States and Sportsnet/TVA in Canada on Stanley Cup Playoff broadcasts through May 7, during pregame programming. The series of announcements continues on Saturday, April 30, when the three finalists for the Lady Byng Trophy will be unveiled.

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About Kukla's Korner Hockey

Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

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