Ottawa Senator finalist for NHL trophy for third year straight

Another year, another Norris nomination for Senators captain Erik Karlsson.

This will be the fourth time the 26-year-old Swedish phenom has been officially considered a finalist for the NHL’s best defenseman. Karlsson has already won the Norris twice, in 2012 and 2015.

Primarily known for his offensive prowess, Karlsson’s game has been maturing over the years and rounding out into one of the best all-round players in the game. He saw increased time on the penalty kill, stepped up his shot-blocking game, and still managed to stay healthy and offensively productive.

Karlsson put up 17 goals and 54 assists for 71 points in 77 games, maintained a +/- of plus-10, blocked 201 shots, and ate up almost 27 minutes of ice-time per game. What a machine!

But this isn’t just a story of personal success, Karlsson has been leading the Ottawa Senators all season and what he’s accomplished in the locker-room has as much to do with the Senators success as his spectacular play on the ice.

It’s hard to imagine that one of the NHL’s best defensemen is still getting better with age, but all you have to do is watch Karlsson play and it’s hard not to be convinced. He’s stepped up his defensive game, all the while keeping up his offensive production.

Karlsson will be up against two other Norris Trophy finalists, Brent Burns of the San Jose Sharks and Viktor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning.