#2 John Carlson
Number two on our list is John Carlson, who is vying for his first Norris Trophy this season and has put up a solid case for it. Carlson led all defensemen this season in both points and assists while setting career highs in every offensive category. If Carlson wins it, it’ll be the third time a Capital took it home. The only player who’s done it is someone we’ll talk about in a minute.
Carlson recorded 75 points in 69 games this season which led all defensemen. Carlson finished 10 points ahead of Roman Josi of the Nashville Predators and 20 points ahead of the third highest which was Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Carlson had 1.09 points per game this season which was the highest total by a defensemen since Ray Bourque (Boston Bruins), Al MacInnis (Calgary Flames) and Sergei Zobov (New York Rangers) in the 1993-94 season. Bourque won the Norris Trophy that season.
Carlson has a strong chance at winning the Norris Trophy. Only 13 other defensemen in NHL history have recorded at least 1.09 points per game and nine of those 13 took home the Norris Trophy. This season Carlson is the only defensemen to average 1.09 points per game.
Carlson should be a lock to win it unless Josi gives him a run for his money in the playoffs. We’ll see but for now he’s number two among best defensemen of all time. Now let’s see who’s number one.