Sharks star surfaces as NHL Award finalist

Brent Burns caps a brilliant season by earning a well deserved finalist position for Norris Trophy and the title of the NHL’s best defenseman.

Burns wasn’t just the best blueliner on the San Jose Sharks, he was one of the best in the entire league this season. The 6’5, 230 lbs Barrie, Ontario native appears to be ageing like a fine wine, simply getting better as time goes on.

With 29 goals and 47 assists, good for 76 points in 82 games, Burns had his highest scoring season ever, setting personal bests while leading NHL defensemen in goals scored and points earned by the end of the season.

He averaged 24:52 minutes of ice-time per game, and maintained a +/= of plus-19. Burns and his beard have been stalwart fixtures on the ice during the Sharks’ most important moments, whether that be on the power play or on the penalty kill.

This will be Burns second consecutive season in which he has earned the distinction of being a Norris Trophy finalist, he finished third the voting last season. Burns will be up against two other Norris Trophy finalists, Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators and Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Burns managed to outscore Ottawa’s Erik Karlsson this season by a whopping 12 goals and 5 points, and beat out Hedman by 13 goals and 4 points.

Offensive prowess obviously isn’t everything when it comes to being the best defenseman in the league, but Burns is no defensive slouch. Playing plenty of hard minutes, Burns maintained his +/- ratio, delivered 69 hits, and blocked 142 shots.

The Norris Trophy will be awarded in Las Vegas on June 21 at the annual NHL Awards ceremony.