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Brent Burns, Victor Hedman, Erik Karlsson named Norris Trophy finalists

By Charlie O'Connor Clarke

Apr 18, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns (88) watches the face-off against the Edmonton Oilers during the first period in game four of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center at San Jose. The Sharks won 7-0. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns (88) watches the face-off against the Edmonton Oilers during the first period in game four of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center at San Jose. The Sharks won 7-0. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /
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The NHL has announced the final nominees for this year’s top defenceman award.

The three blueliners up for the 2017 Norris Memorial Trophy will be Brent Burns of the San Jose Sharks, Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators. The finalists from the award were announced in a Thursday press release from the NHL.

2016 winner Drew Doughty has not been nominated, after his Los Angeles Kings missed the playoffs. Both Burns and Hedman are in the running for their first Norris, while Karlsson is looking to win his third, having received the honor in 2012 and 2015.

Burns had a banner year this season with the Sharks, scoring 29 goals and 76 points from their blueline to lead San Jose in scoring. He also won the league-wide defensive scoring title, beating both Hedman and Karlsson by four and five points respectively. He’s currently leading the Sharks in their first round playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers, where they trail 3-2 heading into Game Six.

Despite missing the playoffs, Hedman had a strong season with Tampa Bay. He smashed his career high in points with 72, contributing 33 points from the power play. His 56 assists this season led all defenders, dominating all possession metrics while on the ice. The 6-foot-6 blueliner has been a key component of the Lightning’s defensive corps for eight years now, but has never before been nominated for the Norris.

Karlsson is currently on fire in the playoffs with Ottawa, making several highlight-reel passes to help the Sens take a 3-1 series lead over the Boston Bruins. As captain of the Senators, he recorded 71 points in the regular season, and already has five assists in the playoffs. He led Ottawa in both assists and points this year.

Next: 5 reasons why the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs will be amazing

The winner of this year’s Norris Trophy, along with the NHL’s other awards, will be announced June 21 at the 2017 NHL Awards show in Las Vegas, as the expansion Vegas Golden Knights will also make their player selections for the upcoming season.

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