Sharks’ defenseman Brent Burns has been named a finalist for the James Norris Memorial Trophy. This is the second consecutive season in which Burns has been a finalist for the trophy given to "defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position". The other two finalists are a pair of Swedes: Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators. Last season, Burns finished third in the Norris voting behind Karlsson and Drew Doughty, who won.
Burns had a great start to the season, and my the All Star Game, many observers were saying that the Norris was all but his.