THN.com/podcast. From The Hockey News Podcast: Comebacks, Upsets and D.B. Sweeney Erik Karlsson [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk3NzE4MDU2NTc3ODAzNTY1/usatsi_20452552.jpg] Erik Karlsson The NHL's awards season is in full swing. The league handed down its latest trio of award finalists on Thursday evening, with San Jose's Erik Karlsson, the Rangers' Adam Fox, and Colorado's Cale Makar being selected as the 2022-23 nominees for the Norris Trophy, awarded to the NHL's most outstanding defenseman. It's hard to argue against any of these three being recognized for their achievements this season, but Karlsson seems to be on a whole different level. The 32-year-old had a resurgence for the ages in 2022-23, exploding on the scene for 25 goals and 76 assists for 101 points in 82 games, becoming the first defender since Brian Leetch in 1991-92 to reach 100 points. Karlsson was the engine for his entire team, leading the way offensively while also logging nearly 26 minutes in average nightly ice time. Fox, on the other hand, was the consummate two-way defenseman this season, posting phenomenal defensive metrics while also racking up 12 goals and 60 assists for 72 points in 82 games and logging nearly 25 minutes in nightly ice time. On a team full of stars, Fox arguably shone the brightest. And then there's the reigning Norris winner, with Makar once again proving himself to be perhaps the quintessential modern NHL defender. He plays in a variety of different situations, pushing play at a breakneck pace and finishing with a mind-boggling 17 goals and 49 assists for 66 points in just 60 games. Despite not playing as many games as his fellow finalists, Makar made the most of his usage, averaging nearly 27 minutes in ice time per night to set the tone on one of the league's top teams. With a number of other deserving candidates who finished outside the top three, this year's Norris race is one of the tightest in recent memory.
