San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson named 2023 James Norris Memorial Trophy winner

The James Norris Memorial Trophy has been awarded to San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson.

The trophy is awarded to the NHL’s top “defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position”.

Karlsson wins the award after a season where he had 25 goals, 76 assists, and 101 points in 82 games, with all three totals being career highs for the 33-year-old defenseman. He also lead NHL defensemen in all three stats, was 11th in points among all players, and tied for third in assists with Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl. It’s also the first time that a defenseman has hit the 100-point mark in a season since 1992, and the 15th time ever, with Bobby Orr achieving it six times, Paul Coffey doing so five times, and Al MacInnis, Brian Leetch, and Denis Potvin doing it once.

Karlsson wins the award for the third time in his NHL career, winning it twice with the Ottawa Senators in 2012 and 2015. He becomes the ninth defenseman to win the award three times, joining Orr, Doug Harvey, Nicklas Lidstrom, Ray Bourque, Pierre Pilote, Potvin, Coffey, and Chris Chelios. Karlsson also becomes the second player on the Sharks to win the Norris trophy, with Brent Burns winning the award in 2017.

Karlsson beat out New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar to win the award. Fox had 12 goals, 60 assists, and 72 points in 82 games, and Makar had 17 goals, 49 assists, and 66 points while only playing in 60 games during an injury-riddled season.

Karlsson’s performance wasn’t met with much success for the team as a whole, as the Sharks finished with a 22-44-16 record, which put them in 7th in the Pacific Division and gave them the fourth-worst record in the league. It may make for an excellent send off for Karlsson in San Jose though, as the defenseman is deep in trade rumours and will most likely be moved this offseason.