Trophy Tracker: Karlsson remains leader for Norris as best defenseman

To mark the three-quarters point of the 2022-23 regular season, NHL.com is running its third installment of the Trophy Tracker series. Today, we look at the race for the Norris Trophy, awarded annually to the top defenseman in the NHL as selected in a vote by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.

Erik Karlsson knew he was capable of a resurgence.
The San Jose Sharks defenseman had 35 points last season, 22 in 2020-21 and 40 in 2019-20, having been limited by injuries. He hadn't scored more than 50 since 2017-18, when he had 62 for the Ottawa Senators.
Karlsson leads defensemen in goals (19), assists (63) and points (82) in 65 games and has tied his NHL career high in points set with the Senators in 2015-16, which surprisingly wasn't one of the two seasons he won the Norris Trophy voted as the top defenseman in the NHL (2011-12, 2014-15).
"I've been in this league for a long time now," Karlsson said at NHL All-Star media day in February. "I've been successful for the most part of it, if not all of it, and you're going to go through times when things are not lining up the way that you want them to and that's just the way it is. ... I still feel great, and I know I'm going to feel great for hopefully a long period of time."
The 32-year-old, in his 14th NHL season, was selected as the Norris winner at the quarter pole and halfway point by an NHL.com panel after not receiving a single voting point in the preseason poll. He's still the favorite at the three-quarters point. Karlsson received 64 voting points, including 10 first-place votes. Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres was second with 50 points and two first-place votes and Josh Morrissey of the Winnipeg Jets was third with 42 points. New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox received the other first-place vote.

"I rarely get surprised with myself but I'm happy that it's going well, obviously," Karlsson said. "... It's been a tough couple of years. I think the organization and team is going in a good direction and I think that's helped myself individually.
"I think the things that I've been able to control, I've done as good of a job as I possibly can and as of this moment, I feel as good as I've done before, so I just hope that it continues."
Karlsson got his 80th point in his 63rd game, the fewest by a defenseman since Al MacInnis (62 games) for the Calgary Flames in 1990-91.
"I know the points look the way they do and that's what he always does, but just go watch what happened on that 6-on-5," Sharks coach David Quinn said after Karlsson scored the game-winning goal and had four points in a 5-3 win against the Dallas Stars on Jan. 18. "He was determined to make sure that we weren't going to give up a goal. The way he defended and how hard he competed, I can't say enough great things about him not only what you see from a statistical standpoint, but I have loved coaching him. He's a smart guy, he wants to win and he's a special player."
Sharks goalie James Reimer has been Karlsson's teammate the past two seasons, but faced him may times when he was with the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2010-16 and Karlsson played for the Senators.
"Honestly, I think when you play against the guy, obviously you know how good he is but when you are playing with him, I think you notice him more and more," Reimer said. "... I felt like he was great back them but now seeing him every day, it's impressive. ... I hope he keeps doing his thing."
Karlsson was the subject of rumors prior to the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline at 3 p.m. ET on March 3. Luckily for the Sharks, he remained with them.
"I don't want to imagine this team without him," Quinn said.
Voting totals (points awarded on a 5-4-3-2-1-basis):Erik Karlsson, Sharks, 64 points (10 first-place votes); Rasmus Dahlin, Sabres, 50 (2); Josh Morrissey, Jets, 42; Adam Fox, Rangers, 25 (2); Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche, 13; Dougie Hamilton, New Jersey Devils, 9; Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks, 5; Roman Josi, Nashville Predators, 5 (1); Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins, 4; Hampus Lindholm, Boston Bruins, 4; Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning, 3; Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings, 1