According to the NHL, the James Norris Memorial Trophy is given “to the defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position.” However, it is still very early on in the season here are a few names we could see win the Norris Trophy in the 2022-23 season.

Cale Makar– Colorado Avalanche

Cale Makar, 24, is a Canadian defenseman who was drafted first overall in 2017 by the Avalanche. Makar is the reigning Norris Trophy winner. This year his stats consists of six goals and 15 assists for 21 points in 19 games.

Thus far in the 2022-23 season, Cale Makar is favored to win. If he wins this trophy again this year he will become the first player since Nicklas Lidstrom to win back-to-back. Lidstrom when on to win three Norris Trophies. At 23, he became the Avalanche’s first player to win a Norris Trophy. Last season, he lead defensemen with 28 goals and was second in points with 86.

Erik Karlsson– San Jose Sharks

Erik Karlsson, 32, was drafted to the Ottawa Senators 15th overall in 2008. Karlsson won the Norris Trophy in 2012 and 2015 with the Senators. Right now, he leads all defensemen in points. He has 11 goals and 21 assists with a total of 32 points in 24 games. The only players in the league he is behind are Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and David Pantrnak.

Karlsson has a career-high of 82 points which came in the 2015-16 season. Evidently, he is on track to have his best season in the NHL.

Adam Fox– New York Rangers

Adam Fox,24, was drafted in the third round in 2016 by the Calgary Flames. Fox has six points and 18 assists with a total of 24 points in 22 games. In addition, he won the Norris Trophy in the 2020-21 season. During that season, he had 11 goals and 63 assists with a total of 74 points. However, last year Fox had six goals and 18 assists.

Roman Josi– Nashville Predators

Roman Josi, 32, was Nashville’s 38th overall pick in 2008. Josi is a former Norris winner which he won during the 2019-20 season. In fact, he almost won it last season as well. He had more first places votes than Makar did. However, Makar had 1,631 points while Josi had 1,606. Since 2014-15 he has had four top-five finishes in the Norris Trophy race. This season he has four goals and 12 assists with 16 points in 20 games.

Victor Hedman– Tampa Bay Lightning

Victor Hedman was the Lightning’s second overall pick in 2009. He is a two-time Stanley Cup Champion and won the Norris Trophy in 2017-18. Hedman has been a finalist in the trophy race for six straight years. This season, he has one goal and eight assists for a total of nine points in 18 games. Last season, Hedman had 20 goals and 86 points and played in every single game.

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