Adam Fox, Erik Karlsson and Cale Makar named 2023 Norris Trophy Finalists

Adam Fox, Erik Karlsson and Cale Makar have been named the 2023 Norris Trophy Finalists as voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.

“The James Norris Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position.” 

Fox is receiving his second nod as a finalist after winning the Norris in 2020-21. The 25-year-old registered 72 points (12 goals, 60 assists) in 82 games last season. He followed that up by notching eight assists in seven postseason games as the New Jersey Devils knocked the New York Rangers out of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Fox ranked eighth among defensemen in the points column; he tied for first league-wide with 88 takeaways.

Karlsson had a year for the history books. The 32-year-old notched a whopping 101 points (25 goals, 76 assists). The Swedish blueliner became the sixth defenseman in National Hockey League history and the first since Brian Leetch in 1991-92 to register 100 points. He led all defensemen in goals, assists and points. Karlsson could become the fourth defenseman in NHL history to take home the award on multiple teams. He won the Norris Trophy with the Ottawa Senators in 2011-12 and 2014-15. This is Karlsson’s fifth time being nominated for the award. 

Meanwhile, Makar, who is the reigning Norris Trophy winner, Conn Smythe winner and Stanley Cup champion, is nominated for the third time in his career. The 24-year-old elite blueliner registered 66 points (17 goals, 49 assists) in 60 games this season. He notched an additional five points in six games during the Avalanche’s playoff run that saw them get taken out by the Seattle Kraken. Makar ranked second among defensemen with 1.10 points per game. He can become the first back-to-back Norris Trophy winner since Hall of Famer Nicklas Lidstrom won three straight from 2005-06 to 2007-08.