Norris Trophy Power Rankings: Hedman enters the fold
In the third edition of theScore's Norris Trophy Power Rankings, a former winner of the award cracks the top five for the first time.
5. Shea Weber
| GP | G | A | P | ATOI | xGF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 12 | 19 | 31 | 24:17 | 55.94 |
Where would the Montreal Canadiens be without Weber? The 34-year-old captain has been an absolute rock on a rather leaky blue line. Without Weber on the ice at five-on-five, the Habs' goal share is nearly 6% less, and their high-danger scoring chance share is almost 10% less. He's undoubtedly the team's MVP and remains one of the league's best defensemen.
4. Dougie Hamilton
| GP | G | A | P | ATOI | xGF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 13 | 24 | 37 | 23:31 | 58.80 |
Hamilton has appeared on every iteration of this list this season and cracked the top three in November. He's been a stalwart on the Carolina Hurricanes' blue line, leading the team in ice time, shots on goal, and plus/minus (for what it's worth). Hamilton has always been blessed with the ability to be one of the league's top blue-liners, but in his age-26 season, he's finally putting it all together.
3. Victor Hedman
| GP | G | A | P | ATOI | xGF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 9 | 28 | 37 | 22:57 | 56.14 |
Hedman makes his season debut on this list after a slow start. However, the 2018 Norris winner was red-hot in December, tallying 15 points in 14 games for the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 6-foot-6 Swede has a lot of ground to make up, but with a strong supporting cast that underachieved in the first half of the season, he's more than capable of going on a run.
2. Roman Josi
| GP | G | A | P | ATOI | xGF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | 14 | 27 | 41 | 25:36 | 57.98 |
For the third time in a row, Josi appears in this list's second spot. After signing an eight-year, $72.5-million extension early in the season, the Nashville Predators captain has not disappointed; he's on pace for career highs in goals, assists, and shots. If this were any other year, he'd likely be No. 1, but unfortunately for him, another defenseman is on the verge of making history.
1. John Carlson
| GP | G | A | P | ATOI | xGF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | 13 | 37 | 50 | 24:57 | 50.59 |
Carlson nabs the top spot for the third straight month. The Washington Capitals rearguard is on pace for 100 points, which, frankly, is just silly. If he can pull it off, he'd be the first defenseman to do so since 1991-92 and the fourth blue-liner not named Bobby Orr or Paul Coffey - who did it a combined 11 times - to accomplish the feat.
Honorable mentions: Alex Pietrangelo (Blues), Cale Makar (Avalanche), Ryan Ellis (Predators)
(Advanced stats source: Natural Stat Trick)