Roman Josi Named Finalist For Norris Trophy

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Nashville Predators’ defenseman Roman Josi has been named a finalist for the 2021-22 James Norris Memorial Trophy after a historic performance this season, the NHL announced.

Along with Josi, Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche are the three finalists for the Norris Trophy, awarded “to the defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position.”

Josi became the NHL’s highest-scoring defenseman in 29 years, posting 23 goals, 73 assists and 96 points in 80 games to help the Predators make the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the eighth consecutive season. Only six defensemen in the past 50 years have surpassed Josi’s 96 points in a single campaign: Paul Coffey, Phil Housley, Brian Leetch, Al MacInnis, Bobby Orr and Denis Potvin.

Josi set career highs in goals, assists and points; broke the single-season Nashville franchise records among all positions for points and assists; recorded the most assists by any NHL defenseman since Sergei Zubov‘s 77 in 1993-94; and led all blueliners with 26 multi-point games. His 281 shots on goal were 41 more than the second-ranked defenseman in 2021-22, and his 59 even-strength points were the most since Ray Bourque‘s 59 in 1986-87.

Josi is a Norris finalist for the second time and won in 2019-20. The Predators captain made franchise history by becoming the first Nashville blueliner to bring the Norris to Music City.

The winners of the 2022 NHL Awards will be revealed during the Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Final, with exact dates, format and times to be announced.

The NFL will announce the three finalists for the Vezina Trophy on Tuesday, May 10.

Steven Boero
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