Roman Josi Snubbed From Norris Trophy After Historic Season

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Roman Josi. Photo: Courtesy of the Nashville Predators

Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi was named the runner-up for the 2021-22 Norris Trophy at the NHL Awards on Tuesday night.

Colorado’s Cale Makar won the award after leading the Avalanche to one of its best seasons on years.

Josi scored 96 points off of 23 goals and 73 assists this past season, the most points scored by a defenseman since Boston’s Ray Bourque in 1994. Josi won the Norris Trophy in 2020 and received the most first-place votes in this year’s ballot even though he finished second on the overall ballot.

Makar received 1,631 points from the Professional Hockey Writers Association while Josi only received 1,606 points. Josi earned 98 first-place votes to Makar’s 92 but the Avalanche defenseman received 98 second-place votes, while Josi only had 76 second-place votes, picking up 17 third-place votes and a surprising three votes for fourth. One voter didn’t even cast a vote for Josi.

It was the closest margin of voting for the Norris Trophy since the Ottawa Senators’ Erik Karlsson edged Nashville’s former captain Shea Weber in 2012.

Josi was named to the 2021-22 First All-Star Team along with Makar. Other Predators were recognized for their performances this season, like Alexandre Carrier who was named to the First All-Rookie Team.  He tallied 27 assists and 30 points, both the most by a rookie defenseman in Predators history.

All-star goaltender Juuse Saros was a Vezina Trophy finalist in his first season as starting goaltender. Saros finished third in the voting after finishing sixth the season prior.

Steven Boero
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