Trophy Tracker: Norris

To mark the beginning of the 2021-22 regular season, NHL.com is running its first installment of the Trophy Tracker series this week. Today, we look at the race for the Norris Trophy, given annually to the top defenseman in the NHL as selected in a vote by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.

Though Cale Makar has played two NHL seasons, the Colorado Avalanche defenseman has quickly become one of the best at the position.
The 22-year-old is tied with Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks for fourth among defensemen (94 points; 20 goals, 74 assists) over the past two seasons, was runner-up in voting for the Norris Trophy as the top defenseman in the NHL last season and won the Calder Trophy voted as the NHL rookie of the year in 2019-20.
Makar signed a six-year, $54 million contract ($9 million average annual value) with the Avalanche on July 24.
"He's a superstar," Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic said. "He's one of the top defensemen in the League, if not the best, and he'll be up for the Norris year in and year out, so we're very fortunate for the next six years we're going to have Cale here and hopefully helping us win a Stanley Cup."
A panel of 17 NHL.com writers agreed with Sakic and expect Makar to win the Norris this season. Makar received 75 points, including 10 first-place votes to edge Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning, who received 64 points and six first-place votes. New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox, who won the Norris last season, finished third with 36 votes. Aaron Ekblad of the Florida Panthers received the other first-place vote.
"I think Connor McDavid changed the way we view forwards in the modern game when he came into the League (2015), I think Makar is doing that on the backend," NHL Network analyst Mike Rupp said. "Cale Makar is starting to be referred to as the bar for the new age defenseman. … You can't find players like this. That's how special Cale is."
Makar scored 44 points (eight goals, 36 assists) in 44 games last season and led defensemen with an average of 1.00 points per game (minimum 10 games). He tied for the lead at the position in game-winning goals (three) and was fourth in power-play points (22). Makar finished second on the Avalanche in ice time per game (24:19) behind defenseman Devon Toews (24:46) and tied for first in takeaways (32) with Toews and forward Mikko Rantanen.
"I think it's definitely earned," Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. "I think the jump in his game has been on the defensive side of it. He's always been able to produce on the offensive side, drives the play from the back end whether he's leading the rush or joining it. He's been a more consistent defender and a heavier defender for us this year and playing in more situations, including a little bit of time on the penalty kill. He's developed into a real good all-around player as a defenseman. I think it's well deserved."
During his rookie season, Makar led first-year defensemen in goals (12) and power-play goals (four) in 57 games and ranked second among all rookies in assists (38), points (50), and power-play points (19). He also scored four game-winning goals, was plus-12 and averaged 21:01 of ice time per game (third among rookies).
"To me, I feel like I've done nothing yet," Makar said after signing his contract. "That's kind of the outlook that I have, it's just never be satisfied. I'm obviously so young still and so many years ahead of me."
Voting totals (points awarded on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis):Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche, 75 points (10 first-place votes); Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning, 64 (six first-place votes); Adam Fox, New York Rangers, 36; Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins, 22; Aaron Ekblad, Florida Panthers, 15 (one first-place vote); Alex Pietrangelo, Vegas Golden Knights, 13; Roman Josi, Nashville Predators, 6; Seth Jones, Chicago Blackhawks, 5; Miro Heiskanen, Dallas Stars, 4; Dougie Hamilton, New Jersey Devils, 4; Shea Theodore, Vegas Golden Knights, 3; Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks, 3; Darnell Nurse, Edmonton Oilers, 3; Kris Letang, Pittsburgh Penguins, 1; John Klingberg, Dallas Stars, 1