Will Erik Karlsson win another Norris Trophy in 2023-24?
Erik Karlsson defied a lot of odds last season on his way to winning his third Norris Trophy. Despite playing on a San Jose Sharks team that hovered in the bottom of the standings all season, the Swedish superstar registered 101 points (25 goals, 76 assists) in 82 games and was promptly awarded at the end of the year for being the best defenseman in the NHL.
An offseason trade — perhaps the biggest of the summer — sent Karlsson to the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he is expected to make Sidney Crosby and company a very dangerous threat in the Eastern Conference. But does Karlsson also have another Norris-caliber season in him?
Here's what oddsmakers are thinking.
Expectations of Karlsson may still be high, but DraftKings is listing him as a 20-1 long shot to win the Norris Trophy again this year. In fact, there are seven players with shorter odds to win the Norris following the 2023-24 season, starting off with Cale Makar as the 19-10 favorite (+190 in American odds.) Makar, who won the Norris in 2022, didn't match Karlsson's prowess on the ice last season due to sustaining multiple injuries. But DK clearly thinks he will have a rebound campaign for the Colorado Avalanche — who are also one of the preseason favorites to win the Stanley Cup at 10-1 odds.
The other players with shorter odds than Karlsson to win the Norris Trophy include 2021 winner Adam Fox (5-1) and Rasmus Dahlin (8-1). Charlie McAvoy, Quinn Hughes and Miro Heiskanen are all listed at 14-1 odds, while 2020 winner Roman Josi is listed at 18-1.
The 2023-24 NHL season kicks off on Friday, Oct. 7.
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