Norris Trophy Power Rankings: Fox proving last year was no fluke
Welcome to the first edition of theScore's Norris Trophy Power Rankings.
These rankings focus on analytics and the all-around ability of defensemen based on this season's results rather than just points or reputation.
- xGF% = the share of expected goals a team produces while a player is on the ice at five-on-five
- GF% = goals for percentage at five-on-five
- GAR = goals above replacement-level player
5. Victor Hedman, Lightning
| GP | G | A | ATOI | xGF% | GAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 0 | 9 | 25:22 | 55.7 | -1.1 |
Hedman racked up points last year, but the underlying numbers suggested he wasn't his true self for most of the regular season. This almost certainly had to do with him battling an injury. However, he looks like his all-world self in the early going of this campaign, producing offense and controlling play at both ends of the ice.
The 2018 Norris winner is already having some bad luck this season. Despite owning a strong xGF%, his actual GF% is just 36.4%, and that'll surely regress to the mean sooner than later. Poor puck luck may also be contributing to his negative GAR, which is, admittedly, an imperfect stat.
4. Charlie McAvoy, Bruins
| GP | G | A | ATOI | xGF% | GAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 1 | 2 | 23:49 | 64.6 | 1.9 |
McAvoy isn't producing points like some of his peers, but he's been arguably the best defensive defenseman in the league. He tops all qualified blue-liners with 1.3 expected goals against per 60 minutes. The Bruins are shooting just 5.6% when McAvoy is on the ice at five-on-five, so the points are due to come soon.
3. Aaron Ekblad, Panthers
| GP | G | A | ATOI | xGF% | GAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 3 | 6 | 25:34 | 50.1 | 4.1 |
Ekblad's play is a major reason the Panthers are off to a red-hot 8-0-1 start. Florida has outscored its opponents 11-4 and outchanced them 72-59 when the 2014 No. 1 overall pick has been on the ice at five-on-five. Ekblad's strong play to begin the campaign is impressive, considering he's coming off a broken leg that ended his 2020-21 season in March.
2. Adam Fox, Rangers
| GP | G | A | ATOI | xGF% | GAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 2 | 9 | 24:36 | 50.1 | 2.9 |
Fox is proving that his 2021 Norris Trophy win was no fluke. Fresh off a seven-year, $66.5-million extension, the Rangers phenom is picking up right where he left off last season. He's logging tough minutes, producing offense, and playing rock-solid defense. New York has allowed just two goals in 166 minutes with Fox on the ice at five-on-five.
1. Roman Josi, Predators
| GP | G | A | ATOI | xGF% | GAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 3 | 8 | 25:13 | 55.9 | 4.2 |
The 2020 Norris winner is back to his elite form after a somewhat down year by his standards in 2020-21. What makes Josi's start so admirable is that his supporting cast isn't as strong as it used to be. Nashville has tasked Josi with propping up youngster Dante Fabbro after the Predators traded longtime partner Ryan Ellis in the offseason. Despite this, he's on pace for a career year.
Honorable mentions: Dougie Hamilton, Thomas Chabot, Cale Makar
(Analytics sources: Natural Stat Trick, Evolving Hockey)