In the fourth edition of theScore's Norris Trophy Power Rankings, a veteran blue-liner chasing his first Norris enters the fold.
5. Shea Weber
| GP | G | A | P | ATOI | xGF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | 12 | 21 | 33 | 24:19 | 54.7 |
Weber stays on this list despite an ice-cold January that's seen him register just a pair of assists in his last 11 games. His overall body of work at both ends of the ice remains impressive, and there's no player worthy of dethroning him with Dougie Hamilton out indefinitely. The Canadiens' expected goals share drops three percent without their captain on the ice.
4. Alex Pietrangelo
| GP | G | A | P | ATOI | xGF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | 13 | 29 | 42 | 24:14 | 54.6 |
Pietrangelo cracks this list for the first time this campaign. In a contract year, he's peaking at the right time: The Blues captain is on pace for career highs in goals, assists, points, and power-play points. Pietrangelo has been especially hot of late, tallying 11 points in 11 games since the last edition of these rankings.
3. Victor Hedman
| GP | G | A | P | ATOI | xGF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48 | 9 | 33 | 42 | 23:29 | 57.07 |
Get used to seeing Hedman on this list. The Lightning blue-liner has been a finalist for the Norris in each of the last three seasons - winning it in 2017-18 - and there's a strong chance he finishes in the top three once again this year. Hedman's combination of size and speed is unmatched by any player in the league, let alone by any defenseman.
2. Roman Josi
| GP | G | A | P | ATOI | xGF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49 | 14 | 35 | 49 | 25:53 | 55.70 |
Josi is enjoying a fantastic season and holds a 14-point lead atop the Predators' scoring list. He's continued his strong play even while partner Ryan Ellis has been sidelined with a concussion, tallying 10 points in his last 11 games. Josi has been the runner-up in all four editions of this list, and though his performance this season would likely be good enough to win the Norris in any other year, one man continues to stand above the rest in 2019-20.
1. John Carlson
| GP | G | A | P | ATOI | xGF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | 13 | 47 | 60 | 24:43 | 50.90 |
Carlson is still in a league of his own, remaining on pace for over 95 points during his historic campaign. For those who think he's simply the beneficiary of dishing passes to Alex Ovechkin on the Capitals' powerplay, it's important to note he leads all rearguards in even-strength points, too. Carlson's not only running away with the Norris, but he should garner plenty of Hart Trophy consideration as well.
Honorable mentions: Ryan Suter (Wild), Kris Letang (Penguins), Erik Karlsson (Sharks), Cale Makar (Avalanche)
(Advanced stats source: Natural Stat Trick)
Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.