Joe Thornton and Brent Burns of the Sharks are both finalists for individual NHL Awards that will be presented Wednesday from Las Vegas. Both, though, are facing some stiff competition.
Thornton is a finalist for the Masterton Trophy, awarded annually “to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.” Burns is a finalist for the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defenseman for the third time in four years. He was a finalist in 2016 and won the award in 2017.
Both awards are voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association.