Trophy Tracker: Karlsson choice for Norris as top defenseman in NHL

To mark the conclusion of the 2022-23 regular season, NHL.com is running its fifth 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 made NHL history Monday when he became the sixth defenseman in NHL history with at least 100 points in a season.
Karlsson, who had two goals for the San Jose Sharks in a 6-2 loss at the Winnipeg Jets on Monday, leads NHL defenseman in points (25 goals, 75 assists), 25 points more than second-place Josh Morrissey of the Jets. Karlsson joined Bobby Orr (six times), Paul Coffey (five times), Al MacInnis, Brian Leetch and Denis Potvin as the only defensemen in NHL history to reach 100 points in a season and is the first to do it since Leetch had 102 points with the New York Rangers in 1991-92.
"It's obviously a very special thing to do," Karlsson said. "It's been a talking point here as of lately so it's nice to have it done and over with a little early and finish off these last two games hopefully as good as possible."
Karlsson began the season with 28 points (11 goals, 17 assists) in his first 19 games and hasn't looked back. He has at least one point in 56 of 80 games this season and hasn't missed a game after being out for extended periods because of injury in three of the previous four seasons.
"I wanted to get off on the right foot. I think I did that," Karlsson said. "I just found a way to keep it going for the most part of the season. It's something that I feel like I've done a good job throughout my career is to be consistent throughout a long season. I felt good enough this year to be able to do it again and I feel like I did.
"It's a great feeling. It's a tough accomplishment to do, to play all 82 games every year. Not many people manage to do it."
A panel of 16 NHL.com writers voted Karlsson the winner of the Norris Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL's top defenseman. He received 15 first-place votes and 75 points overall. Cale Maker of the Colorado Avalanche, who won the Norris last season, was second with 32 points, including one first-place vote and Adam Fox of the Rangers was third with 25 points.

"I've been very lucky to coach some great hockey players, but none greater than him, I'll tell you that," Sharks coach David Quinn said Monday. "This guy has got so much talent and so much skill. He's such a brilliant hockey player, but he's got the physical attributes to match. His physical gifts and his mental skills all work together. He's competitive, he's fearless. He's just got world-class talent. And he's healthy. Watching him every day, I knew how good he was, but I didn't know he was this good. It's just been a lot of fun to watch."
Karlsson was chosen by the panel in each of the three polls during the season after not receiving a single voting point in the preseason poll.
"I think I'm physically and mentally in a good spot in my life, and I've just been trying to take it day by day and keep the motivation going as best as possible," Karlsson said. "You know, it's been tough as of lately, but (I've) managed a way to get it done and I'm happy about that."
Karlsson 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 (nine goals, 53 assists) for the Ottawa Senators. But the 32-year-old, who has won the Norris twice before (2012, 2015) is likely to do so again.
"It's a lot of points, and he certainly deserves it," Sharks captain Logan Couture said. "He's created a lot offense for us this year. Could probably be at 120 or 130 (points) by now if guys could finish off some of the dishes he's given. 100 is a special number."
Karlsson has been able to play at a high level despite the Sharks (22-42-16) near the bottom of the NHL standings. He also is tied for second in the NHL in even-strength points (74; 20 goals, 54 assists) with Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak (42 goals, 32 assists). Only Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid has more (75 points; 39 goals, 36 assists).
"It's just been an incredible year for [Karlsson] up to this point," Quinn said. "Two games to go, to get 100 points, it's pretty special. I have been saying this for a while, he's had a Norris Trophy-type year. To have the points he's had 5-on-5 is really unique because of the way it's happened and obviously the situation we're in. We're in a situation where we're not a playoff team and we're trying young players.
"To have the season he's had is remarkable. I'm just really happy for him and proud of him, because it's been a tough go for him here over the past three years for a variety of reasons. No. 1 is health, and it's good to see him healthy. … When Erik's all-in and he's healthy the way he is and he's in a good spot mentally, he's the best defenseman in the world and I think he's proven that this year."
Voting totals (points awarded on a 5-4-3-2-1-basis): Erik Karlsson, San Jose Sharks, 78 points (15 first-place votes); Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche (1), 32; Adam Fox, New York Rangers, 25; Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo Sabres, 23; Josh Morrissey, Winnipeg Jets, 22; Dougie Hamilton, New Jersey Devils, 20; Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks, 18; Miro Heiskanen, Dallas Stars, 11; Devon Toews, Avalanche, 5; Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings, 5; Hampus Lindholm, Boston Bruins, 2; Roman Josi, Nashville Predators, 1; Vince Dunn, Seattle Kraken, 1