The NHL revealed the three finalists for the Norris Trophy, which goes "to the defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position."

The three finalists are the Vancouver Canucks’ Quinn Hughes, Colorado Avalanche’s Cale Makar, and Columbus Blue Jackets’ Zach Werenski, voted by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. 

Hughes won this award for the first time last season. Makar also won the Norris Trophy in 2021-22. This is the fourth straight season that he’s been a finalist. This is the first time that Werenski is a finalist for this award.

All these defensemen have compelling arguments to win the award. They’ve led their teams from the back end and have produced offensively at a high level. They were the top three scorers among NHL defensemen.

Makar ended with 30 goals and 92 points, pushing boundaries for scoring from defensemen and showing that he could be the next blueliner to reach the century mark. He earned a career high in goals and points.

He finished ninth in scoring among all players, while the next D-man, Werenski, finished 21st.

Werenski had a campaign like never before in his ninth NHL season. The 27-year-old has blossomed into the leader of the Blue Jackets, and his play on the ice has dictated that. 

Werenski led his team to a fantastic season. In 81 games, he scored 23 goals and 82 points, almost taking his team to the playoffs. Columbus finished fourth in the Metropolitan Division, two points from the Montreal Canadiens, which claimed the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Hughes, the defending champion, has also had a Norris-caliber campaign with the Canucks this season. Despite a hefty lower-body injury that kept him out for 14 regular-season games and the 4 Nations Face-Off, he continued to play at an elite level.

He scored 16 goals and 76 points in 68 games, leading his team in scoring by 26 points ahead of right winger Brock Boeser. The Canucks captain has had a frustrating year, but it could end with some hardware in his hand.

The winner of the Norris Trophy will be announced during the Stanley Cup final in June.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.