Makar, Josi, Hedman voted Norris Trophy finalists

Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche, Roman Josi of the Nashville Predators, and Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning are the three Norris Trophy finalists for 2021-22.

Makar led all defensemen with 28 goals and ranked second at the position in points with 86 over 77 games this season. He also slotted in sixth among blue-liners in average ice time at 25:40, besting his two finalist counterparts in that regard.

The 23-year-old was the runner-up for the Norris Trophy last season, losing out to Adam Fox of the New York Rangers by less than 9% of the vote. Makar won the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie in 2019-20.

Makar's underlying numbers were superior to those of Josi and Hedman this season. The Avalanche controlled 57.05% of the expected goals and 57.44% of the scoring chances with Makar on the ice at five-on-five, according to Natural Stat Trick. Josi's figures in those categories were 51.59% and 52.04%, respectively, while Hedman authored percentages of 54.94 and 55.4.

Josi topped all of his positional counterparts with 73 assists and 96 points in 80 contests during the 2021-22 campaign. He averaged 25:33 in ice time and also led all defensemen with 59 even-strength points.

Hedman played all 82 games in the campaign, ranking third among rearguards in goals (20), second in assists (65), and third in points by a blue-liner behind Josi and Makar. Hedman won this award in 2017-18, and he's been a finalist in each of the four subsequent seasons.

The Professional Hockey Writers Association votes on the Norris Trophy, which the NHL hands out annually to the defenseman who demonstrates "the greatest all-round ability in the position" during the regular season.