Norris Trophy Rankings: Hurricanes duo deserves praise

Welcome to the sixth edition of theScore's 2022-23 Norris Trophy Rankings, and the fifth in-season version. New rankings are published once a month throughout the campaign.

These rankings focus on analytics and the all-around ability of defensemen rather than just points or reputation.

• xGF% = the share of expected goals a team produces while a player is on the ice at five-on-five
• xGA/60 = expected goals against per 60 minutes at five-on-five
• GAR = goals above replacement
• xGAR = expected goals above replacement

Two new players enter the mix in this edition. Cale Makar's play - when healthy - has him deserving of a spot, but we omitted him after he played only four games since the last rankings due to injury (he's now missed 13 games this season). The best ability is availability, after all.

5. Jaccob Slavin, Hurricanes Josh Lavallee / National Hockey League / Getty

Previous rank: N/A

GP	G	A	ATOI	xGF%
56	5	15	22:19	62.71

Slavin's defense partner, Brent Burns, is arguably just as deserving of a spot on this list since he's racked up an impressive 50 points in 62 games this season. Both have posted outstanding underlying numbers, too. However, we thought Slavin - the more defensively sound of the two partners - was more deserving.

After all, Burns looked to be declining before joining the Canes this season. And Slavin has a history of propping up his defense partners, as he did with Tony DeAngelo a season ago.

Slavin has been the league's best defensive defenseman this season. He possesses a 99 percentile defensive grade (factoring in contributions at even strength and the penalty kill), and among NHL blue-liners with at least 500 five-on-five minutes, he ranks first in xGF% and second in xGA/60.

The 28-year-old isn't the most physical defender, as he's only thrown 30 hits this season, but he uses his 6-foot-3 frame to break up plays in ways that don't necessarily make the highlight reel. His 67 takeaways lead all NHL defensemen, he's only committed 30 giveaways, and he's only taken four minor penalties while drawing tough assignments.

Slavin's not flashy offensively, but the play doesn't die when the puck touches his stick, either. He's great at facilitating for his more offensively gifted linemates and can pinch in with a goal or a nice setup every now and then. That, combined with his aforementioned defensive acumen, makes him more than worthy of a spot on this list.

4. Roman Josi, Predators John Russell / National Hockey League / Getty

Previous rank: N/A

GP	G	A	ATOI	xGF%
61	17	39	25:13	50.84

The Predators may be having a disappointing season, but it's through no fault of Josi's. The 2020 Norris winner and 2022 runner-up makes his first appearance in the top five this season after a scorching-hot month that saw him tally five goals, nine assists, and a 57.68 xGF% in 12 games since the last rankings.

Josi has been exceptional offensively this season, ranking first among NHL defensemen in shots, third in goals, and seventh in points. His all-around game has been strong, too, as he ranks ninth among blue-liners with 13.8 GAR and seventh with 15.6 xGAR.

3. Adam Fox, Rangers Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

Previous rank: 3rd

GP	G	A	ATOI	xGF%
63	10	47	24:54	56.62

Fox is coming off his coldest month of the season, as he tallied just eight assists in 13 games since the last rankings. His 51.05 xGF% in that span was also rather pedestrian. But with Makar going down with an injury and no other player stepping up enough to pass him, Fox holds on to a top-three spot, as he's done throughout the entire campaign.

Just because Fox has teetered off a bit, doesn't mean his season still hasn't been superb. Among qualified blue-liners, he ranks sixth in points, fifth in assists, 10th in average ice time, 10th in GAR, first in xGAR, 17th in xGF%, and second with 64 takeaways.

2. Rasmus Dahlin, Sabres Bill Wippert / National Hockey League / Getty

Previous rank: 4th

GP	G	A	ATOI	xGF%
59	14	49	25:47	52.4

Dahlin recently missed three games due to injury, but it wasn't enough to slow down his chances of capturing his first Norris Trophy. Even with the time missed, Dahlin still recorded eight assists in 10 games since the last rankings.

A lack of discipline continues to be an issue for Dahlin, though. He racked up 14 penalty minutes during that 10-game stretch and is now up to 78 on the season - the third-most among NHL defensemen. If that weren't the case, he might be giving Karlsson a serious run for the top spot.

Everything else about Dahlin's game is terrific. He's third among blue-liners in points, first with 19.8 GAR, and third in average time on ice.

1. Erik Karlsson, Sharks Kavin Mistry / National Hockey League / Getty

Previous rank: 1st

GP	G	A	ATOI	xGF%
65	19	63	25:33	52.66

Karlsson continues to show no signs of slowing down, even as the team around him worsens. Not only did the Sharks trade away their top offensive weapon in Timo Meier, but they also dealt Jaycob Megna - Karlsson's primary defense partner - in early February.

Yet he's still racked up 13 points in 13 games since the last rankings. His xGF% in that time (47.36) has dropped a bit, but it's nowhere near enough to move him out of the top spot as his overall underlying numbers are still excellent despite playing for a rebuilding team. He ranks second among defensemen in both GAR (17.6) and xGAR (21.9), and third with 62 takeaways.

Amazingly, Karlsson still leads all NHL skaters in even-strength points with 62 - a one-point edge over Connor McDavid. His lead in that category over the next blue-liner is an astounding 21. He's on pace for 103 points, which would be the most by a defenseman since Hall of Famer Al MacInnis in 1990-91.

Honorable mentions: Makar, Burns, Dougie Hamilton, Josh Morrissey

(Analytics source: Evolving-Hockey)

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