Roman Josi Named A Norris Trophy Finalist For Third Time

In news that shocked absolutely no one, Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi was named a finalist for the Norris Trophy on Wednesday, joining Vancouver’s Quinn Hughes and Colorado’s Cale Makar.

It marks the third time in his career Josi was voted a finalist for the award, winning it back in 2019 after finished with 16 goals, 65 points, 23 power-play points and a +22 rating while averaging 25:46 of ice time per game.

This year, Josi led all NHL defensemen in goals (23, which also tied a career high), power-play goals (9) and shots on goal (268), and he finished tied for second in game-winning goals (5), tied for third in points (85), tied for fourth in power-play points (33), fifth in assists (62) and eighth in total ice time (2,019:45).

[WATCH: Roman Josi Sets A New Predators’ Playoff Record]

“He kind of gets overlooked,” Predators head coach Andrew Brunette said of Josi in March. “I think that happens a lot when you’ve been in this league a long time — you’re not the shiny new toy. But I think the way he’s played of late, it’s hard not to put him [in the Norris conversation]. In my opinion, he’s playing at as high a level as anyone in the league at that position.”

Josi tallied eight goals and 24 points during Nashville’s franchise-record 18-game point streak from Feb. 17 to March 26, leading all blue-liners in both categories during that span.

He also finished second on the Predators in points behind Filip Forsberg (94) and third in goals behind Forsberg (48) and Ryan O’Reilly (26).

[READ: Josi Becomes First Player To Accomplish This Notable Feat]

Josi’s 23 goals is the most by a defenseman age 33 or older in NHL history, and he’s the oldest Norris Trophy finalist since 2018 when 35-year-old Mark Giordano and 34-year-old Brent Burns were nominated.

Quinn, who scored 17 goals during the regular season, led all blue-liners with 92 points. Makar, who tallied 21 goals, was second with 90 points.