Josh Morrissey is a Norris Trophy Candidate, But Can He Win It?

It's one thing to be one of the top defensemen in the NHL, but it's another level to be the best in a season. Can Josh Morrissey get the Norris Trophy?

Untying the restraints off of Josh Morrissey may be some of coach Rick Bowness’s best work this season.

The Winnipeg Jets defenseman pinpointed an October meeting with Bowness and Jets associate coach Scott Arniel as the catalyst to his newfound offensive confidence during an interview with The Canadian Press earlier this month. Bowness and Arniel showed Morrissey clips of instances where he passed on advantageous opportunities in favor of making a conservative play.

“They basically said, ‘We need you and we want you to make plays, to create offensively, to be a threat at the right time and the right situation,” Morrissey said.

With the 27-year-old defenseman earning the nickname ‘Josh Norrissey’ this season, it’s fair to say that meeting paid dividends.

Morrissey's recorded 38 points in 32 games this season – tying him with Kyle Connor for the team lead. His 32 assists are the most of any defenseman in the NHL, and he’s tied with Artemi Panarin for fourth league-wide. He already beat his career high in points, previously set last season at 37.

He leads all defensemen – who have played at least 200 minutes this season – with 3.06 points per 60 minutes, according to Natural Stat Trick. His four game-winning goals on the year are tied for eighth leaguewide and also rank first among defensemen.

“He’s becoming must-watch TV,” NHL broadcaster Kevin weeks said on TSN Tuesday evening.

Morrissey – averaging 23:17 per game this season – has long been renowned as a sturdy and responsible defender. It’s largely a byproduct of his elite hockey IQ, which Bowness expanded on after Tuesday’s game.

“He’s one step ahead of what’s going to happen next,” Bowness said. “That’s why he’s able to read the play and break up plays… any elite player in any sport has that high IQ for that sport, and he certainly has it.”

With the green light to jump into the play, Morrissey weaponized his smarts to create offense, and on top of elite production, it’s led to some beautiful plays.

There’s no doubt Morrissey is poised to be a Norris Trophy finalist. But naturally, one should wonder what the chances are of him actually winning the hardware.

Some food for thought: eight of the last 10 Norris Trophy winners have finished in the top three in scoring among D-men. So Morrissey, who sits second in defenseman scoring, is on the right track in that regard. 

While Erik Karlsson appears to be the front-runner by turning back the clock to his old self, recording 42 points in 34 games so far, the leading point-getter doesn’t always win. 

In fact, only three of the last 10 Norris winners led defenseman in scoring that same season. Typically, being a top scorer is a prerequisite to the conversation, and then from there, external factors get measured. 

It’s also important to remember that the Norris Trophy is voted by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association. And we all know that Erik Karlsson, even in his prime, isn’t necessarily a shoo-in for the Norris (i.e. the infamous Doughty versus Karlsson Norris debate in 2016). 

What’s working in Morrissey’s favour, though, is the type of impact he’s having on a Jets team sitting second in the Central Division. Morrissey is on the ice for 5.54 goals per 60 minutes, which ranks second among defensemen that have played 200 minutes behind Rasmus Dahlin, according to Natural Stat Trick.

If Morrissey keeps up this valuable play for his club and the Winnipeg Jets stay where they are as one of the top teams in the Western Conference, he should be at least a nominee for the Norris Trophy. But regardless of where he ends up in voting for the top D-man award, this season's leading up to be a massive breakout year for Morrissey, and he's not done yet.